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Sports Therapy – Can a Chiropractor improve my game?

Sports Therapy – Can a Chiropractor improve my game?

Key Takeaways

  • Sports therapy in chiropractic care focuses on spine and joint function that can affect movement quality, coordination, and comfort during training.
  • Chiropractic adjustments may help improve mobility and reduce movement restrictions that can limit performance, especially after minor sports injuries.
  • A sports-focused plan often includes corrective exercises, stretching, and soft tissue work—not just adjustments.
  • Protecting spinal health can support better mechanics for running, lifting, throwing, and rotational sports.
  • Persistent pain, numbness, weakness, or symptoms after a fall or collision should be evaluated by a qualified provider.

Many folks don't realize that UCCGA provides sports therapy. In this article, you will discover why it's important to take care of your spine so you can perform at the highest possible level. When folks have a sports-related injury and need therapy they often ask the question: ‘

Should I get adjusted by a Chiropractor?’ The simple answer is: YES! You use your spine for almost every task your body performs. When you play sports it is important that you protect and care for your spine. Not every serious spinal injury is a break. In fact, many times the symptoms of an injury to your spine aren't as obvious as being paralyzed. Even a small misalignment can have big consequences. 

Many times folks will wait months, even years before they even attempt sports therapy. These small injuries can build up and cause huge problems. These problems can drastically affect every aspect of your game. When a high-intensity sport causes your upper cervical spine to become misaligned, you can expect a decrease in your body’s ability to perform. A study published in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research revealed something that may surprise you. 

It was discovered that a simple upper cervical adjustment increased college baseball players’ performance in huge ways. This groundbreaking study was conducted on 21 males from a college baseball team. On the first day of the study, all of the baseball players were given the same physical tests. After the initial tests were conducted, half of the players received sports therapy in the form of an upper cervical adjustment. 

The other half was used as a control group. They did not receive any sports therapy. The players were all given the exact same test again five weeks later. The results showed that the players who received upper cervical chiropractic care had increased blood flow. This allowed for greater oxygen distribution in their muscles. There were also other interesting changes that we will reveal next.

Sports Therapy Chiropractic Results

At 14 weeks, an upper cervical chiropractor gave all of the players the original battery of tests again. It quickly became clear, the group of players that received an upper cervical adjustment, had a remarkable increase in performance. There was a considerable improvement in their muscle strength and long-distance jump. Incredibly, there was even a significant improvement in blood capillary vessel counts. 

Now, you may wonder what capillary vessels are and why you should care about them. Basically, capillaries are the tiny blood vessels in your body. They transport oxygen and other nutrients to places regular blood vessels won't fit. These tiny vessels are extremely important. Your muscles require a lot of oxygen to perform at their peak. This amazing increase in blood distribution allowed them to radically improve their overall performance. 

The amazing results didn’t stop there. Further studying revealed that the athletes who received chiropractic care had marked improvements in their overall cardiovascular system. This caused a decrease in their resting blood pressure and heart rate following exercise. All from a simple, painless adjustment. 

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a chiropractor improve my sports performance?
Chiropractic care may help support sports performance by improving joint mobility, reducing movement restrictions, and addressing biomechanics that affect how you run, lift, rotate, or land. Many athletes also use chiropractic care to stay consistent with training by managing stiffness and minor aches. Results vary, and performance depends on many factors like conditioning, sleep, and sport-specific coaching.
Should I get adjusted after a sports injury?
It depends on the type of injury and your symptoms. For many non-serious sports injuries, a chiropractor may use a combination of spinal or extremity adjustments, soft tissue techniques, and guided rehab exercises to help restore motion and function. If you have severe pain, swelling, suspected fracture, concussion symptoms, numbness, or weakness, get evaluated promptly before any manual care.
What does sports therapy with a chiropractor usually include?
Sports therapy commonly combines several conservative approaches: a movement and posture assessment, hands-on joint mobilization or spinal manipulation, soft tissue work, stretching, and corrective exercises to build control and stability. Some chiropractors also use taping, balance drills, and return-to-sport progressions. The goal is to improve how your body moves, not just to “crack” joints.
How does spinal health affect athletic movement?
Your spine helps transfer force between your upper and lower body, supports posture, and protects nerves that contribute to strength and coordination. When spinal or hip mobility is limited, other areas may compensate, which can change mechanics during sprinting, jumping, throwing, or lifting. Keeping the spine and surrounding muscles moving well may help you train with better form and less strain.
When should an athlete see a provider for a sports injury?
See a qualified provider if pain lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or affects your ability to practice or compete. Get urgent evaluation for red flags like numbness, tingling, weakness, severe headache after impact, dizziness, loss of balance, or pain after a major collision or fall. Early assessment can help guide safe activity modifications and recovery.

Sources

  1. Low Back Pain Fact Sheet — National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (2023)
  2. Choosing Wisely: Imaging for Low Back Pain — Choosing Wisely (ABIM Foundation) (2021)

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