The Truth About Chiropractic

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Busting the Myths and Uncovering the Science​

Do chiropractors have a bad reputation? Do they deserve it? And what can they really do for athletes besides crack necks? Answers here.​

When you hear the word “chiropractor,” what comes to mind? For many, it’s a cracking sound, a bit of fear, or even skepticism.

But what if I told you that chiropractors could help you unleash your peak athletic performance? As a chiropractor, I’m here to bust the myths and explain the science behind how chiropractic care can improve your biomechanics, enhance your neurological drive, activate your muscles, and help you recover from hard training.

Debunking the Myths About Chiropractors​

Let’s start by addressing the elephant in the room: the unfair reputation of chiropractors.

Myth 1: Chiropractors only treat back pain​

While it’s true that chiropractors can provide effective treatment for back pain, their scope of practice is much broader. Chiropractors can also treat headaches, neck pain, joint pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Also, many chiropractors offer wellness care, which focuses on maintaining good health and preventing future health problems.

Myth 2: Chiropractic adjustments are dangerous​

Another common myth is that spinal manipulations are dangerous and can cause harm. But the reality is that chiropractic adjustments are generally safe and effective in treating various conditions. A study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that the risk of serious adverse events from spinal manipulation is extremely low.

Myth 3: Chiropractors aren’t real doctors​

Contrary to popular belief, chiropractors are real doctors who’ve undergone extensive education and training. Chiropractors must complete a rigorous four-year doctoral program and pass state licensing exams to practice. Additionally, chiropractors often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as medical doctors and physical therapists, to provide comprehensive patient care.

Chiropractic care is based on evidence-based medicine and focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Adjusting the spine and other joints can improve the nervous system’s function, leading to various health benefits, including peak athletic performance.



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How Does Chiropractic Care Boost Athletic Performance?​

Enhancement 1: Biomechanics​

Biomechanics is the science of movement and plays a crucial role in athletic performance. Chiropractic care can help improve your biomechanics by ensuring that your spine and joints are aligned correctly. This alignment allows for a better range of motion, increased flexibility, and decreased risk of injury. As a result, you can perform at your best by keeping your body in top form.

Enhancement 2: Neurological Drive and Activating Muscle​

Neurological drive refers to the signals sent from your brain to your muscles. You can increase your strength and power output by improving your neurological movement. Your ability to create deep and meaningful muscle contractions drives neuromuscular adaptations and, ultimately, hypertrophic changes resulting in bigger, stronger muscle.

Chiropractic care can help enhance your neurological drive by ensuring that your nervous system is functioning optimally. This is done by ensuring optimal biomechanics resulting in better proprioception and, thus, enhanced neurological function. The result? Your body can send and receive signals more effectively, thus enhancing performance.

“Muscle activation” refers to the process of engaging your muscles to perform a specific movement. Chiropractic care helps activate your muscles by making sure your spine and nervous system function optimally. When your body is in alignment, your muscles work together effectively, increasing power and strength.

Enhancement 3: Exercise Recovery​

Exercise, in essence, is controlled damage to get results. Chiropractic care can help you recover faster by improving your body’s ability to heal itself by helping to reduce inflammation, decrease pain, and increase joint range of motion.

Chiropractors can help address the underlying biomechanics misalignments through joint manipulation. Soft tissue cumulative trauma from repetitive motions can be addressed using techniques such as Active Release Techniques, trigger point therapies, dry needling, therapeutic stretching, and others. These techniques reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, enhance oxygen utilization, improve muscle metabolism, decrease pain, and increase range of motion, leading to faster recovery and improved overall health.



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Summary and Your Questions Answered​

Chiropractic care helps you unleash your peak athletic performance by improving your biomechanics, enhancing your neurological drive, activating your muscles, and helping you recover. Consider adding a chiropractor to your team. You might just be surprised by the results.