Bottom Line:

For over 100 years, professional athletes of all kinds have used chiropractic care to recover, reduce their likelihood of injury, and even get an edge in performance. And what used to be a secret is now well-known. Chiropractic care is used by sports teams from high schools right up through the pros.

Why it Matters:

Historically, the medical staff of pro sports teams have focused primarily on helping athletes recover from injuries more so than improving their performance - that was left to the coaches.

Chiropractors provide a unique bridge between the player, coach, and medical team by focusing on injury prevention, mobility, and, yes, performance. Pro sports are big business - athletes, coaches, and owners will always look to maximize their talent.

What began as a way to reduce injuries has evolved into a way to improve performance. New research shows how spinal adjustments can influence the brain, spinal cord, and even muscle strength.

Here are three exciting findings...

• Motor control and movement patterns can improve following a spinal adjustment.
• Spinal adjustments can positively alter how the body processes pain.
• Increases in muscle strength have been observed following spinal adjustments.

Next Steps:

Pro athletes choose chiropractic for many different reasons. For some, it's the focus on mobility - others are looking for a performance edge.

No matter what drives an athlete to seek out a chiropractor's expertise, one thing is for sure: the use of chiropractic care in competitive athletics is here to stay!

Science Source(s):

The Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Cortical Drive. Brain Sciences. 2017. The Effects of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation. Scientific Reports. 2019. Neurophysiological Effects of Spinal Manipulation. Spine Journal. 2002.