Should Athletes Get Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractor, Grand Junction, CO - Daniel Lonquist, DC, CCST, CCWP Certified Chiropractic Wellness Practitioner. Back To Health Wellness Center, 970-257-9199 Google Places

By: Dr. Daniel Lonquist

Athletes often represent the peak of physical performance.  They continuously stretch the boundary of what is possible with hard work and perseverance.  It is easy to imagine the human body with its many interlocking systems designed to work as a complex organic machine.  As is the case for all machinery, maintenance is required to keep things running smoothly and at optimal function.  The link between a healthy spine and a healthy body has persuaded many athletes to embrace regular chiropractic care as an integral part of their fitness regimen. 

In terms of fostering a superior athlete, chiropractic care goes much further than pain management.  It is true that regular adjustments reduce the time it takes to heal after an injury, and decreases the severity of injury, but the ultimate goal of chiropractic care is to allow the nervous system, to communicate to all the systems that comprise the body with out interference. 

How does this relate to athletic performance? One of the many goals of chiropractic adjustments is to remove interference in nervous system communication. Since the nervous system is the master controller for the function and regulation of every cell, tissue and organ of the body it is logical that in order to perform optimally you must not have interference in this communication. This is important for proper training and can enable competitors to not only engage more muscles at deeper levels and create more definition, but also to balance the body to create better symmetry. In the case of bodybuilding, definition and symmetry of course are major factors when it comes to judging and you need every edge you can get if you want to win.

You don't have to look hard to find testimonials of professional athletes that claim they would not have performed as well as they did without chiropractic.

"Bodybuilders and fitness people have been using chiropractic very extensively in order to stay healthy and fit. I found it was better to go to a chiropractor before you get injured. We are a perfect team- the world of fitness and the world of chiropractors." Arnold Schwarzenegger

“I do believe in chiropractic.  I found that going to my chiropractor three times a week helps my performance.  Once I drove 20 miles to see a chiropractor before a fight.  I have to have my adjustments before I go into the ring.  The majority of boxers go to get the edge.” Evander Holyfield

“I’ve been seeing a chiropractor and he’s really been helping me out a lot.  Chiropractic’s been a big part of my game.  Chiropractic care works for me.  I only wish I had tried chiropractic a few years ago when I first started having back pain and maybe the surgery would have never happened.” Joe Montana

“I’ve been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember.  It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.” Tiger Woods

"I don't know how much I could improve until I started seeing a chiropractor. Since I've been in chiropractic, I've improved by leaps and bounds both mentally and physically." Michael Jordan

“You obviously can’t compete at your fullest if you’re not in alignment.  And your body can’t heal if your back is not in alignment.  It was the holistic idea that I like about chiropractic and that is what track and field is about.  Every track and field athlete that I have ever met has seen a chiropractor at one time or another.  In track and field, it is absolutely essential.  I think I compete eight to ten percent better from regular chiropractic use.  I think that is how much of a benefit it is, if not more!” Dan O’Brien

“When you’re out there and you’re not feeling the pain, you’re obviously going to be a better player.” Barry Bonds

John Stockton, Doug Smith, a sports reporter for the Toronto Star, recently noted in his column that Stockton, 40, the oldest player in the NBA, believes the greatest reason he’s still able to complete is the care he receives from the team chiropractor, “It’s been great for me and for my family,” he told the Toronto Star.