Watching the FIFA World Cup at the mamak, or Malaysian icons like Lee Zi Jia or Nicol Ann David play on the big screen? Streaming YouTube workout drills on your Smart TV?
Sports and exercise have become more relevant these days. Especially so in our chiropractic office, where we prescribe exercises to our patients.
But what if you’ve hurt yourself while working out or after a long session of badminton or bouldering? Or are you wondering if a visit will benefit you even when you’re moving fine? This is where sports chiropractic bridges the gap between treating the 9 to 5 worker and the sports/exercise enthusiast.
What is Sports Chiropractic?
Sports chiropractic is a branch of chiropractic that involves the treatment and prevention of sport- related musculoskeletal injuries. The International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS) is the peak, international sports chiropractic body and plays a dominant role in promoting sports chiropractic throughout the world. Since sports and exercise are full-body activities, joints beyond the spine such as those in our arms and legs are both at risk of injury and subsequently, treatable. Practitioners treat them by employing techniques such as;
- Spinal manipulation
- Peripheral joint manipulation
- Kinesio-taping
- Soft tissue therapy
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
- Joint mobilization
- Dry needling
- Rehabilitation and exercise/movement therapy
How does Sports Chiropractic manage Sports patients and Sports injuries?
Sports injuries are hardly a single story. Fixing them requires specific identification of the faulty joint or muscle movement pattern. Here are some examples of sports/exercise movements and certain joints/muscles that affect them greatly.
Weighted squat
Lumbar spine and Sacroiliac joints
- Hip mobility
- Knee rotation
- Ankle flexibility
- Foot strength
Anti-extension and anti-rotation of the core muscle
Golf
- Thoracic spine rotation
- Lumbar spine
- Rib joints
- Wrist stability
- Hip rotation
- Acceleration and deceleration of the shoulder and core muscles
Badminton
- Cervical and thoracic spine
- Wrist strength
- Hip flexibility
- Knee stability
- Ankle stability
- Shoulder strength
These are only some of the key points that need to be evaluated in the realm of sports chiropractic when managing a physically active individual.
In the lack of injury, athletes still benefit from chiropractic in terms of maintaining joint health, the healthy firing of muscle fibers, and ultimately prevention of future injury.
Conclusion
Chiropractic is just as beneficial to athletes and active individuals as to those with less active lifestyles.
A recent study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Research and Investigation showed that 32% of athletes receiving chiropractic care experienced increased flexibility, speed, agility, and power and a decrease in injuries sustained during sports participation.
FICS and Chiropractic have also been used at various national and international sporting events.
- Chiropractic services were offered in the Summer Olympic Games polyclinic in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020
- 2021 NFL season saw 41 chiropractic teams working with all 32 teams.
- Chiropractic services offered in the Malaysia Open Squash competition in 2021
