Chiropractor Questions Sports Injuries

How can a chiropractor help after a sports injury?

I pulled my muscle while lifting weights in the gym, and it's quite strained. Should I see if I can get referred to a chiropractor, to see if they can help with it? What can they do for a sports injury?

12 Answers

Chiropractic adjustments will help everything is back in alignment which improves nerve function. You need food nerve function to get those muscles and tissues to heal faster.
Search for a sports chiropractor in your area. You should not need a referral as people have direct access to chiropractors.
Yes, TRY Chiropractic!!! Chiropractic can do everything you need to heal a sports injury. You may not need a referral. Call to schedule your appointment today!
Depending on the injury, when an injury happens it damage ligaments, fascia, muscles, tendons and surrounding tissues. Aside from making the joint malpositioned and misaligned. Chiropractors can not only align the joints but they also can repair the injury to the tissues by physiotherapy.
Chiropractors can help with sports injuries by using physiotherapy modalities on the injury and rehabilitation after the healing.
Often times a pulled muscle is the result of an imbalance in the structural frame of the body. If this is the case, an exam would be necessary to determine that factor, then Chiropractic can help by getting to the cause of the issue.
Chiropractors can make adjustments to the extremities as well as the spine, and apply soft tissue therapies to promote quick healing and proper mechanics. For your injury Physical Therapy is very effective at rehabilitating the strained muscle and preventing further injury.
Absolutely
There are over 1000 chiropractors that work in sport Medicine that do great work. Chiropractors work with the nervous system, muscles and ligaments, the spine, and all of your bones and joints. Usually when a muscle is pulled it affects the bone and the spine so you can heal correctly. Both must be addressed

Yours in Health
Dr Joel Williford
As experienced chiropractors, we like answering the questions we receive from our patients. A common inquiry is "what is the difference between a sprain and a strain?" Sprains and strains are injuries to the musculoskeletal system that are commonly diagnosed conditions, and are two separate issues people frequently mix up. We will attempt to explain away some of the confusion today.

Let's look at three ways sprains and strains differ from each other.

1. SPRAINS AND STRAINS AFFLICT DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE BODY.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH), a sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament which provides joint stability. A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon in the area where it is turning into a muscle.

2. SPRAINS AND STRAINS ARE MOST OFTEN CAUSED FROM DIFFERENT ACTIONS.
Falling or twisting the wrong way typically causes a sprain, because the movement forces a joint into an awkward position and ends up stretching or tearing the ligament. Twisting an ankle, falling down the stairs, or trying to catch yourself on an icy walkway are all ways to end up with a sprain.

A strain often results from overexertion or trauma, and repetitive movement. Lifting an item that is too heavy, jumping into an exercise routine that is too strenuous, or performing repetitive movements in either a sport or work are ways an individual can end up suffering from a strain.

3. SPRAINS AND STRAINS GENERALLY AFFECT DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE BODY.
Sprains occur at parts of the body that are injured when falling or suddenly twisting. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, ankle sprains alone number around 2 million each year.

Ankles, wrists, knees, and fingers are all areas that are frequently sprained. Strains, on the other hand, commonly occur in the back, shoulder, or hamstring, as both of these areas are affected by overexertion or repetitive movement.

Although sprains and strains are different injuries, they do have some similarities. This is most likely why people get them mixed up.

Let's discuss a few commonalities of sprains and strains.

Both share common symptoms. Both injuries can bring on pain, swelling, and limited movement at the injury site. The pain can be moderate or intense, depending on the severity of the injury. Sprains and strains both benefit from ice packs, rest, and elevation.

They can require surgery. Most diagnosed strains and sprains heal on their own with time, but a serious tear can require surgery to repair. With both injuries, it's important to visit a doctor if an individual experiences severe pain and swelling, and decreased mobility.

Both can benefit from chiropractic care. Chiropractors can work wonders on the neck and back, but chiropractic care can assist in lessening the impact of a strain or sprain injury, too.

The benefits of seeing a chiropractor for both sprains and sprains are twofold. Chiropractic treatments promote healing of the injured area as well as help strengthen the areas around the injury to decrease the chance of future injuries.

Sprains and strains can sideline individuals from their activities, no matter if they are athletes or regular guys doing yard work. It's vital to take steps to avoid sprains and strains in the first place.

Always properly stretch and avoid overexertion to prevent strains. Take pains to clear walkways and stairways to avoid falls or sudden twisting movements to decrease the risk of sprains.
Chiropractic care can help with sports injuries because it accelerates the bodies ability to heal by improving range of motion, decreasing joint pain, reducing muscle spasm and tension, improving blood flow, and improving nerve innervation.
Sports injuries have actually been shown to heal faster, and have better short term and longer term outcomes, with Chiropractic care and injury based rehabilitation when compared with injury rehabilitation or medication alone. Many professional athletes seek out and regularly see Chiropractors for sports injuries and to help with performance.
Many times, depending on your insurance, you don't need a referral to see a Chiropractor. You can simply call and schedule.
To answer you in the simplest way, a muscle's primary job is to move a joint. If the joint is out of alignment, it will put a different kind of stress on the muscle. This can lead to injury. The joint must be aligned correctly in order for the muscle to heal correctly.