Whether you are 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 chiropractors often see patients with:
- Hamstring and calf strains – Achilles tendon injuries – Groin and thigh sprains
- Lower back pain – Neck pain – Tennis elbow – Shoulder sprains (rotator cuff injuries)
- Tendonitis – Sciatica (often confused with hamstring pulls!)
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 chiropractors who will work to improve health and well-being. Blackwater Chiropractic specialises in sport related injuries.
Your chiropractor will carry out a full examination (which may include an X-ray referral) and take a thorough history before advising an appropriate treatment programme for you. Treatment consists of specific adjustments done by hand to free stiff joints and reduce spinal nerve irritation. Your chiropractor may also recommend ice, heat or massage treatment amongst other things. Treatment will normally be followed by a rehabilitation plan to strengthen the injured area, improve your flexibility and prevent future flare-ups.
Chiropractic treatment aims to restore normal function to your joints and muscles as well as your nervous system, and may increase your control, co-ordination and muscle strength.