Physical activities like playing sports and working out are a lot of fun. They encourage healthy circulation, strengthen your muscles, and lower your risk of potentially serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes. But if you don’t take the proper precautions, exercise can result in sprains, strains, or other injuries.
There’s no way to prevent sports-related injuries entirely, but it’s possible to keep them at bay by participating in routine chiropractic care appointments. Chiropractic care is a type of holistic medicine that uses drug-free, integrative treatments to promote well-being. Let’s take a closer look at four specific ways it can lower the risk of a sports or activity-related injury:
1.) Chiropractic care can improve your posture. Many sports-related injuries occur due to poor posture. If you fail to practice proper form while lifting weights or riding a bike, it can result in neuro-musculoskeletal pain or disability. In addition, good posture allows your muscles, tendons, and ligaments to work as they should. Bad habits like slouching can cause an imbalance, making you more susceptible to an accident or injury.
2.) Chiropractic care can teach you how to warm-up and cool down properly. Warming up and cooling down are two critically important aspects of any workout, but many people fail to do either. If you jump into intense physical activity right away, your muscles don’t have any time to prepare. Easing into a workout allows for optimal flexibility and minimizes stress on your heart.
On the flipside, cooling down helps your heart return to a more normal rate. It also reduces the build-up of lactic acid, which can lower your risk of post-exercise fatigue and muscle cramps.
3.) Chiropractic care can provide nutritional recommendations. If you’re an athlete or physically active individual, it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. If you don’t consume enough fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, you won’t have the energy or stamina to compete at the highest levels. Following an in-office exam and a review of your health history, your doctor of chiropractic can develop a nutrition plan that helps you build muscle, burn fat, and stay in optimal condition.
4.) Chiropractic care can help you maintain proper musculoskeletal alignment. When your musculoskeletal system is in proper alignment, your blood flows better and there’s less stress on your bones and joints. Regular workouts have a tendency to throw your body out of whack. Routine chiropractic care appointments can ensure proper alignment and good health.
These are just a few of the ways that chiropractic care can lower your risk of a sports-related injury. If you need help finding a chiropractor in your area, click here to use our FREE online search tool.