Participating in athletic endeavors is a vital part of many people’s lifestyle. As a lifelong athlete, and active person with an active family, Dr. Erik knows that feeling your best can mean the difference between enjoying, and participating in your favorite sports & athletics activities and watching from the sidelines or couch.
It’s true that chiropractic care is a vital part of the care that many professional athletes have chosen to receive. But whether you’re going to the Olympics, aiming to play for a professional sports team or happy to be a weekend warrior, all athletes’ health and performance can benefit from chiropractic care.
What causes sports and fitness injuries?
What it boils down to with sports injuries is that improper stretching, muscle weakness and poor training put you at risk for injury. To make matters worse, if an injury is left untreated it may result in further or even permanent damage. It is critical to get proper care for any sports injury, so that you can deter these injuries from becoming a chronic issue.
What types of sport and fitness injuries can affect us?
There are two basic types of sport and fitness injuries; the first is the result of a trauma. Great examples of these are collisions, slips and falls. The second type is an overuse injury of a muscle or joint which involve the repetitive movement. This type of motion of the same area often causes inflammation and/or injury.
How can we try to avoid sport and fitness injuries?
The main goal for all athletes is to strive to obtain their peak athletic performance. In order for this to occur, athletes must have proper conditioning. This includes; muscle function, stability and range of motion of all their joints. Most injuries are caused by these imbalances and can easily be avoided. They can also be the result of an injury you’ve had in the past or insufficient conditioning.
Any sporting or fitness activity should begin with a sufficient warm-up session. It is best to increase the frequency or duration of workouts slowly when you feel you are ready, as strength and fitness levels increase. Hydration is always important.
