Athletes and very active people put a great deal of wear and tear on their bodies to achieve top performance. While such individuals may be in peak physical condition, they can also be prone to injuries during competition or work-outs. Luckily, some chiropractors, such as Dr. Andrew Sheriff at New Hampshire Chiropractic Clinic, specialize in sports care. Call him when you need a sports chiropractor in Portsmouth, NH, who uses non-invasive techniques to prevent injury and enhance performance.
What Can a Sports Chiropractor Do?
Dr. Sheriff uses chiropractic adjustments to align the vertebrae. A healthy and aligned spine will support joints and muscles that balance each other efficiently, making them less vulnerable to overuse injuries. In addition to working on the spine during an adjustment, your sports chiropractor can focus on dislocated joints in other parts of the body. He can apply similar pressure to these areas to realign them if nerves, cartilage, or anything else is being compressed.
There is another adjustment technique that focuses on the soft tissue. The Graston Technique involves the use of stainless steel instruments. While using the Gaston method, Dr. Sheriff finds tense areas in the soft tissue and breakds down scar tissue and other adhesions.
When an athlete is recovering from an injury, cold laser therapy from your sports chiropractor in Portsmouth, NH, can speed up the process. Cold lasers promote healing and cell regeneration in nerves, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Another treatment, Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) involves electrodes attached to the skin that send electrical pulses to worn or injured muscles. When muscles are injured, dehydrated, or overworked, they may develop painful spasms. Thanks to EMS therapy, an athlete can experience relief from the spasms as the pulses encourage small contractions that work the muscles and produce endorphins.
Benefits of Sports Chiropractic Care
While athletes should utilize primary medical care, working in cohesion with a chiropractor provides care that focuses on the entire musculoskeletal system. Traditional medical care often treats an injury in isolation. The chiropractor understands how the joints, muscles, and bones work together. If one component is off, it can affect the others. By improving overall alignment and flexibility, chiropractors help athletes reduce the risk of injury. They have optimized joint function and fast relief from muscle tension, knots, and spasms. This reduced tension is less likely to compress nerves and create pain. They can run faster, lift more weights, and swing at a further range.
Dr. Sheriff is your sports chiropractor in Portsmouth, NH. Learn more about how chiropractic care can benefit active individuals and athletes by calling New Hampshire Chiropractic Clinic at 603-431-8966.