Ask any professional athlete or professional team about chiropractic, and they will indefinitely say how greatly it impacted their career. From performance enhancement, to proper recovery, to longevity in their sport of choice; chiropractic plays a major role to a professional athlete's success.

August 24th (8/24) has been declared Black Mamba day in honor of Kobe Bryant, aka "The Black Mamba". This day forces us to think about our professional athletes and their inspiring performances. Whatever the chosen sport is, it comes at a cost to their bodies. The rigorous training regimes put a strain on them both mentally, emotionally, and physically. This is why almost all athletes at the professional level seek help from chiropractors.

Benefits of Athletes Being Under Chiropractic Care:

• Injury Prevention

Injuries usually happen from imbalances in the muscular and skeletal structures of the body. This means some muscles are over developed while some are under. We see this commonly with the muscles of the spine (paraspinal, subocciptal, scalenes) and muscles of the pelvis (glutes, piriformis). Unbalanced muscle groups leave athletes vulnerable to injury, even in their basic movements. Skeletal imbalance causes discrepancies in leg length, nerve supply, and muscle tone. This means the muscles don't get enough feedback to and from the brain. Imagine if you are trying to hit a jump shot with 2 people of the opposing team coming after you. You are relying on the quick action of your hands and feet to make that shot. Proper muscle balance and optimal nerve supply is a must!

• Recovery

Even the most prepared athletes get injured. Whether it is a sprained ankle, torn muscle, or even a concussion - chiropractic can be pivotal in getting athletes back on track quickly. New concussion research has been expanding due to many football players falling victim to brain related deaths or illnesses due to repetitive brain trauma. Chiropractic has become a leader in post concussion recovery protocols. This is due to the powerful benefits of chiropractic adjustments in aiding brain healing.

• Performance Enhancement

Every athlete knows that beating out the competition can come down to milliseconds or inches. Any edge they can get to win is what it takes to be the best! Chiropractic is a great tool to naturally enhance performance in every avenue. Increased mobility in the ribcage means better inhale/exhale movement, which leads to increased oxygen saturation, and increased endurance. Balanced muscles equal greater muscle engagement and increased strength. Better flexibility means less strain on the joints and less risk of ligament tearing. Increased nerve flow equals increased reflexes. What athlete wouldn't want all those things!

Known athletes that utilize chiropractic care:

Michael Jordan – Basketball

Tiger Woods – Golf

Evander Holyfield – Boxing

Barry Bonds – Baseball

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Body Building

Tom Brady – Football

Joe Sakic – Hockey

Joe Montana – Football

Michael Phelps - Swimming

Christiano Ronaldo - Soccer

Usain Bolt - Track & Field "The fastest man alive"

Not Just for the Pros!

Not matter the skill level or sport of choice, every athlete deserves the best chance to perform optimally. It's not only practice that makes an athlete great. Its the mental training, nutrition, and care they put into their bodies. High school athletes suffer injuries and need chiropractic too. We can't let our future athletes be held back by a body that doesn't function at it's best!

Dr. Mary and Dr. Chanel are both avid athletes. They both utilized chiropractic during their competitive years and never experienced a major injury. Today, at Thrive Family Chiropractic they use their sports background to create specific plans for athletes of all ages! They are experienced in adjusting all areas of the body.... There should be no limitations to athletic performance! Come see us at Thrive Family Chiropractic now to get the full benefits of sports chiropractic! Chiropractic sports athletes, sports chiropractor near me