Professional athletes make headlines when they suffer traumatic and potentially career-ending injuries, sparking debates on their ability to return to play. However, it is not just the professionals who face these risks. Sports injuries are common across all activity levels – whether you’re an amateur athlete, weekend athlete, or an individual just starting your active journey.
Statistics Canada’s most recent data indicates that a significant percentage of adolescent and adult injuries are sports-related. The Canadian Community Health Survey reported that over 60% of injuries in youth aged 12-19 were linked to sports and that nearly 50% of reported injuries among working-age adults were from sports and workplace activities. Proper warm-ups, form techniques, and appropriate equipment can significantly reduce the risks of injury, but accidents and underlying conditions can still lead to issues requiring treatment from healthcare professionals.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that in the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic, amid shelter-in-place restrictions, visits to the emergency departments for consumer product-related injuries fell 24%, the largest decrease of injuries were sports-related. Following this record low, sports and recreational injuries increased 20% in 2021, 12% in 2022, and 2% in 2023. In 2023, 3.7 million people were treated in emergency department for injuries involving sports and recreational equipment.
How do sports injuries happen?
Sports and exercise are essential in maintaining well-rounded health, but they come with inherent risks. Common causes of injuries in sport include overuse or excessive training, inappropriate training techniques or equipment, and structural imbalances and muscle weaknesses. These are all risks that can be mitigated with the help of the correct health professional. Commonly, sports injuries are caused by traumatic force to a joint in motion causing hyperextension or hyperflexion which can result in tissue damage. One such injury is a torn anterior cruciate ligament which results from a quick deceleration, hyperextension or rotation of the knee joint that may or may not involve contact with another person. Such injury, and others, may cause significant pain and debilitation taking you away from the sports that you enjoy. Chiropractors, as joint, muscle and nervous system experts, can help prevent and manage sports-related injuries.
Chiropractic Treatment for Sports Injuries
In Canada, chiropractic has a long and vibrant history of treating recreational and professional athletes. Many professional sports teams and organizations recognize chiropractors as an essential part of athlete recovery and performance optimization. To further their expertise in treating sports injuries and enhancing athletic performance, Doctors of Chiropractic can complete a two-year post-graduate residency program or Master’s that will enable them, upon successful completion of the exam, to qualify for the sports specialists (CCSS) from the Royal College of Chiropractic Sports Medicine.
Chiropractors are trained to assess, diagnose and manage sports-related injuries as part of their core competencies. In fact, through a comprehensive history and physical examination, chiropractors can help determine the cause of pain and dysfunction as well as recommend an appropriate plan of management. Conservative care offered by chiropractors, dependent on the injury and mechanism, may include joint manipulation and mobilisation, soft tissue therapies, adjunct modalities, rehabilitation and individualized exercises and lifestyle advice to restore proper function, enhance healing of damaged tissue and reduce pain. Chiropractors can also help determine the best return to play strategies in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.
Preventing Sports Injuries with Chiropractic Care
Injury prevention is essential for maintaining long-term participation in sports and exercise. Chiropractors can help active individuals with:
Identifying movement imbalances that predispose injury
Develop personalized strength and flexibility programs
Educating on proper biomechanics and posture during activity
Provide advice on recovery and lifestyle modifications
Addressing minor aches and pains to prevent further injuries before they occur
Before beginning a new sport or training regimen, consider visiting a chiropractor to determine preventative measures to help reduce risks of injury and to enhance performance.
References:
Van den Heuvel, S. G., et al. (2003). Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders: the role of physical activity breaks in the workplace. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45(6), 529-537.
