Sport – A Sporting Chance

When a runner injures a calf midway through a race, or a footballer pulls a hamstring, it may not be the running or the kicking that has caused the injury, but an underlying problem that is finally showing itself. Whether it is a previously undetected spine or joint problem, or years of poor posture, the resulting injury could potentially signal the end of a sporting career.

Sports injuries
Whether an amateur sports enthusiast or a top-flight professional, your body is prone to the same kinds of injuries. Repeated stresses can lead to a slight loss of proper movement in the bones of your spine (vertebrae) and joints which, in turn, can interfere with the healthy working of your muscles and nerves. You may have ignored the pain and carried on with your sport for too long without treatment and now find yourself with a chronic injury. It’s not surprising that clinicians at this clinic often see patients with:

• Minor sports injuries
• Lower back pain
• Tennis elbow
• Shoulder sprains (rotator cuff injuries)
• Neck pain
• Sciatica (often confused with hamstring pulls!)

These injuries often recur, may shorten promising sporting careers and turn enthusiastic amateurs into couch potatoes

Many top sports teams now have a chiropractor as part of their medical team.

Problems with performance
Injury is not the only problem for sports enthusiasts and professionals. Many find that they reach a ‘threshold’ of ability, and cannot improve further, however hard they work and however much training they put in. This is why so many serious sportspeople consult with clinicians who will work to improve both function and health. Many clinicians have areas of special interest in sports treatment.

The clear advantage
Your clinician will carry out a full examination and ask you questions about your sporting life, posture, medical history and lifestyle, to discover the cause of your injury or poor performance and make a diagnosis.

Treatment will begin, often with gentle, specific adjustments (or manipulations) done by hand, to free stiff joints and remove spinal nerve irritation. This effective, drug-free treatment is generally painless, although you may feel some short-term discomfort around the injured area. Treatment will normally be followed by a rehabilitation plan to strengthen the injured area, improve flexibility and prevent future flare-ups. Treatment aims to restore normal function to your joints and muscles as well as your nervous system, and may increase your control, coordination and muscle strength.

Like most athletes who have benefited from treatment, you may decide to return for regular check-ups to keep your body working at its best. Regardless of your age, condition or health, care may improve your athletic potential.

 

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No part of this document may be reproduced without permission. 2008
59 Castle Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 7SN 0118 950 5950 www.chiropractic-uk.co.uk