A lot can happen when you engage in a strenuous sports activity - including injuries. If you've suffered one of the sports injuries on this list, such as a concussion, consider choosing a chiropractor for treatment. Chiropractors will treat the issues and prevent future harm by adjusting your musculoskeletal system - avoiding unnecessary medication or procedures.

Need treatment for a painful sports injury like a concussion? Schedule a visit for concussion treatment in Anchorage with the experts at Excellence in Health.

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11 Most Common Sports Injuries Treated by a Chiropractor

Chiropractors can help you with many different sports injuries. The reason is that chiropractic treatments can be used to relieve many musculoskeletal pains, sprains, and injuries. Besides that, a chiropractor who has special training in treating concussions can treat mild brain injuries, too. Here's our list of the top eleven most commonly treated sports injuries we treat as chiropractors.

1. Concussion

A concussion, a mild form of traumatic brain injury, can have both short-term and long-term impacts on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Getting early treatment is essential. Fortunately, our team at Excellence in Health partners with Complete Concussion Management, Inc, to provide outstanding, evidence-based concussion care.

2. Knee Injuries

Knee injuries often happen in sports. One of the most typical knee injuries suffered by athletes is a sprain or minor tear. A chiropractic adjustment to the knee joint may restore the motion in your joint so that it functions normally.

3. Calf and Hamstring Pulls

Sports can put an incredible strain on your legs. Many times, calf and hamstring muscles are pulled, causing intense pain and interfering with sports participation. Chiropractic clinics provide many services for these pulled muscles. The chiropractor can take pressure off the muscles through adjustments. In addition, they can do deeper treatments to break up scar tissue and promote blood flow. Finally, Anchorage's EIH chiropractic clinic offers massage therapy to help with muscle pain.

4. Lower Back Pain

Many sports put a strain on the lower back. In some sports, such as golf, a twisting motion can go awry, causing pain in the lower back. Running causes repetitive impacts on the spine. Weightlifting works the spine with its heavy equipment. Chiropractic treatments can adjust the spine so that the bones are in line and in balance. The tension is relieved, and your back feels and performs better.

5. Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Injuries

Whether your shoulder is aching or you know you have a rotator cuff injury, you can get an evaluation and treatment from a chiropractor. The rotator cuff includes all the tendons around the ball-and-socket shoulder joint. When it is strained or stretched, it is painful and nearly impossible to move the shoulder properly. In those instances, your chiropractor may suggest rotator cuff strengthening exercises and modalities that increase blood flow.

6. Neck Pain

It may surprise you, but the neck is one of the most common body parts injured in high-contact sports such as football. In addition to neck pain, neck injuries can cause cervicogenic headaches. The good news is that your chiropractor is an expert in treating the cervical spine with adjustments and without medications.

7. Groin Strain

Groin strains are extremely painful, and they happen a lot in sports. Your chiropractor doesn't use medications or surgical procedures. Instead, your chiropractic professional focuses on the interactions between the muscles. Using techniques such as active release therapy or physical therapy, your chiropractor will have you out of pain and back in the game soon.

8. Golfer's Elbow or Tennis Elbow

Golfer's elbow and tennis elbow are very similar types of overuse injuries. Your chiropractor uses joint manipulation to help your joints move the way they're designed to again. They realign your elbow and work towards a full range of motion so you can get back on the course or court. Additionally, splint and specific eccentric loading are used to speed up your recovery. Physiotherapy modalities are also used to increase blood flow to the injured tissue and promote healing.

9. Achilles Tendon Issues

If you move your ankle and foot the wrong way during a sports practice or event, you might end up with an Achilles tendon sports injury. A chiropractor is often the go-to expert for Achilles tendonitis. They work to improve the distribution of your body weight and movement patterns in the leg and foot.

10. Other Overuse Injuries

In addition to the Achilles tendon and golfer's and tennis elbow, other overuse injuries can happen. In fact, any joint, muscle, tendon, or ligament that you use too much can become sore and even dysfunctional. However, with proper chiropractic treatment, you may be able to avoid surgery, which is often done for things like carpal tunnel or cubital tunnel injuries. In fact, a recent study found that certain nerve mobilization exercises are as effective as surgery for these conditions. Other overuse injuries include runner's knee, ITBS (below the knee), shin splints, and plantar fasciitis (a foot injury).

11. Ankle Sprain

You might not think of going to a chiropractor for an ankle sprain. Most people have this injury at some time in their lives, and it's often very mild. However, when you're on the sports field, an ankle sprain may be more severe, and it might even keep you out of the game. One study showed that chiropractic treatment for ankle sprains improved the subjects' condition - no medication was needed.

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Chiropractors Take a Whole-Body Approach

One thing that's different between chiropractors and many other medical professionals is that chiropractors take a whole-body approach. This is extremely beneficial for athletes, who use their whole body together to create those wonderful plays.

While you may be just a concussion or a rotator cuff injury to some doctors, with a chiropractor, you get the total package. Chiropractic professionals recognize that not only sports players but everyone uses the disparate parts of their body together. Even though you are made up of many different types of body parts, they all need each other to interact together and create motion or stillness as needed.

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Sports Injury Treatment in Anchorage, AK

At Excellence in Health Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Clinic, chiropractors William Ross and Blue Ross head a team of chiropractic professionals ready to help you overcome your sports injuries. We serve Anchorage, AK, with top-quality chiropractic services because we want to make Alaskans' lives healthier, more comfortable, and better overall.

Our highly trained and friendly staff includes chiropractors and chiropractic assistants, licensed massage therapists, and a skilled administrative team. Together, we strive to bring you the most convenient services, proven treatments, and the best client experience possible.

If sports injuries are interfering with your game, we invite you to come to Excellence in Health for a complete evaluation. We can help you get back on track quickly in many cases, depending on the type and severity of your sports injury. However, you don't have to be a sports player to benefit from chiropractic care. Whether you had an injury in your car, on your deck, or on your way up the stairs, we encourage you to seek the care you need, including chiropractic treatment at Excellence in Health.

Concerned you have a concussion after a sports clash? Count on EIH for excellent chiropractic and concussion treatment in Anchorage