Today many athletes compete in multiple sports. Sometimes these are seasonal, but in many cases it can be multiple sports and excessive training sessions all taking place at the same time. This can lead to unnecessary wear and tear that can often contribute to unexpected injuries. Much of this can be avoided by putting an all encompassing plan in place that provides education and best practices with regards to how the body works and its limitations. Even athletes who are in top shape often end up coming to us with injuries when the season changes and they switch sports, primarily since they have not planned ahead and taken into account the different muscles they will be using. Working with a chiropractor can be an important first step to take and provide you with the tools you need to stay in top form and avoid losing playing time due to an injury.
RESET
If you have been primarily focusing on one sport and are about to start another, it’s worth taking the time to not only reset your mind, but give some thought to what new muscle groups you will be using. Many times athletes take it for granted that their bodies will perform well under any circumstances. A chiropractor can help you to identify which body parts you will now be using more often and provide tips on how to better prepare them for different forms of physical activity.
DON’T IGNORE LITTLE TWEAKS
Speak with your chiropractor if you have been working out and experience even the slightest pain during your workout activities. This could be a signal from your body that something needs to be addressed now, before it turns into a larger issue. In many cases, being aware of your limitations will save on injury recovery time later. A chiropractor can be instrumental in explaining how all of your muscles are interconnected and work together, and why stress in one part of your body is usually a first indication that something else is off in another area. This is especially true when an athlete starts to complain of back or neck pain.
STRETCH
Many athletes still don’t realize the importance of stretching and how it can easily help to avoid or reduce the risk of injury. While some are quick to stretch certain parts of their bodies, they often overlook the fact that every part of the body can highly benefit from pre and post workout stretching. Stretching is one of the most overlooked, yet easy ways to keep your body functioning well. A chiropractor can provide custom stretching routines that will address the areas of your body that are taxed the most during your particular sport.
Some benefits of stretching can include:
Increased Flexibility
When you stretch, it improves the flexibility of your muscles and joints, and allows a broader range of motion which is crucial to an athlete’s success.
Improved Blood Circulation
When there is a healthy blood flow to the muscles, it means that more oxygen and nutrients are delivered. The result? Better muscle function and reduced risk of muscle imbalances.
Elevated Muscle Coordination
The more your muscles can efficiently work together, the better the coordination, an important factor in how an athlete performs both on and off the field. Science has shown that this has a direct correlation to reducing the risk of injury.
INJURY RECOVERY
If you do experience an injury, it’s crucial that you work with your chiropractor to identify what treatment plan would work best. The mistake that most athletes make is that when they begin to feel better, they start working out again before they have followed the entire prescribed recovery protocol. Unfortunately this can lead to even more serious injury and increase the time they have to be on the sidelines or be regulated to limited participation. Chiropractors can suggest a variety of steps that can be taken to hasten the recovery period. Even something as simple as stretching can be a way to ease your body into a faster recovery mode as it can reduce muscle soreness and helps to prevent the stiffness that usually comes with limited body movement due to an injury.
At Merckling Family Chiropractic, we’re known for helping athletes of all ages stay healthy and remain at the top of their game. Whether you need assistance now, or want to stay ahead and avoid season ending injuries, please contact us today so we can help you prepare your injury prevention and wellness plan.
