Athletes have been benefitting from Chiropractic care for many years. More and more it is receiving attention from the media. Athletes of all types, from the weekend warrior to the world-class athlete utilize Chiropractic because it is a drug-free way to better health and performance.

Chiropractic adjustments help ensure that the body functions as efficiently as possible, which can also maximize healing and recovery from all types of injuries.

The nerve system controls every activity in the body by sending and receiving nerve messages and the nerve system is protected by the bones of the spine called vertebrae. When the spine is in its optimal structure and position, the nerves are protected and optimal communication exists between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. The vertebra of the spine is susceptible to certain stresses and forces, which can cause them to lose their proper position. These minor misalignments of the spine, which are known as "vertebral subluxations", cause nerve interference and weaken the entire structure of the spine. Athletic training can often jar and misalign the spinal column, because the spine is at the center of the body. Impact to the legs, feet, head, shoulders and torso often radiates to the spine.

Doctors of Chiropractic detect and correct vertebral subluxations by physically adjusting the spine. This restores the spine and nerve system to a more optimal level of function, which maximizes the body's performance and healing potential.

Anyone who engages in athletics can benefit from regular Chiropractic checkups to ensure that their spine is balanced and free from structural stress and subluxations. When the spinal column is brought into balance and alignment, the body's nervous system and body biomechanics (posture) are maximized.

"Postural strength and coordination are essential for injury prevention and sports performance."  Thomas Harris, MD  The Sports Medicine Guide 

There are many things to consider when taking stock of our health and performance. The payback for taking time to evaluate ourselves and our health is increased function and achieving our maximum output!

We have control over many aspects of our health so we must consider our visible surroundings and the invisible world including what we ingest, absorb and breath in. Our body responds to how we think and act and how well we care for ourselves. Health depends on three functions to sustain pure function; biomechanics ,bioenergy and biochemistry. All must be evaluated, considered and addressed in order for true healing to take place.

Biomechanical - To have an increase in physical performance we need energy efficient, strain-free movement. Since muscles attach to joints, a full assessment of joint motion and spinal and muscle balance must be done. Full body rehabilitation of the kinetic chain must be evaluated to find imbalances, which must be corrected through specific Chiropractic Adjustments. Nerves travel through both muscles and joints. Any form of compression can cause both pain and lack of function. Restoration of the biomechanics and surrounding neurophysiology will provide a strong foundation in order to facilitate more energy efficient and safe movement, preventing injury as well as promoting the healing process. Once the tension is taken off the structure, complete evaluation of the bioenergy and biochemistry can be evaluated.

Bioenergy - For top performance from your body you need energy efficient, strain-free movement even at the cellular level. The more flexible and balanced the living matrix is (your cells and the materials around them), the more readily it absorbs shocks and converts them into information rather than damage. This enhances the body's ability to strengthen and improve performance. Since the living body is a network of cells integrated with each other receiving both mechanical and energetic vibratory continuum, restriction in one part has both structural and energetic consequences for the entire organism. Each healthy cell membrane has an electrical charge of 70 milivolts (mv) while diseased cells such as cancer cells have a potential of 15 mv. The food we eat and the air we breathe is reduced to electrons for electron transport (affecting the charge of our cells) to create ATP (energy) and body repair. Things that decrease electrons in the body are old food, electric fields (cell phones, pagers, etc), dehydration and free radicals. Chiropractic Adjustments directly effect the nerve and energy efficiency of the body. Eating 'bio-available' foods such as healthy fruits and vegetables and steering clear of as many electric fields as possible will increase the bioenergy of your body.

Biochemistry - The chemical world has a dramatic effect on both the performance of our body as well as its ability to heal. Biochemistry involves the inflammatory cascade, blood flow, connective tissue assembly and nutrient specificity. Proper function of these systems is key to increasing strength and endurance for peak performance. 

With any form of injuries (both acute or chronic) the body increases blood flow to the region with a migration of White Blood Cells. The cell permeability increases causing swelling, increased cellular debris and a decrease in pH thus slowing the healing time. The objective of chiropractic care is to: 1. Control the inflammation, 2. Dissolve the injured tissue/dead blood through chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, rehabilitative exercise and ice and heat modalities 3. Increase the nutrient delivery, and 4. Repair and create new tissue, getting the athlete back in action as quickly as possible.

When it comes to your health and performing in sports and athletics, look at the big picture. Most people will put more effort into the research of their cars than they do their health. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.