When considering chiropractic benefits, most people naturally think of it as a corrective service that is used primarily as a core feature of post-injury rehabilitation. However, a growing community across the Grand Canyon State and beyond now see professional chiropractors on a semi-frequent basis in a bid to prevent injuries too.
So, can a chiropractor help prevent injury? The short answer is ‘yes’, but you probably want a little more detail. This guide will help you understand the chiropractic benefits in relation to injury prevention and general wellness alike. Here’s everything you need to know.
The growing use of chiropractic care for injury prevention
The American Chiropractic Association estimates that over 35 million adults and children visit a chiropractor each year. The majority of patients still focus on the chiropractic benefits in relation to lower back pain, neck pain, or headaches but the proposed rewards in relation to injury prevention rather than injury response have become increasingly clear in recent times.
The fact that chiropractic care is now used by several high-profile sports teams, such as NFL franchises, instantly highlights the power of seeing a chiropractor. Some additional industry stats that highlight the proposed chiropractic benefits for prevention purposes include but are not limited to;
- Over one-third of patients have not returned to a chiropractor in the past 12 months because their previous treatment has cured their need for further support.
- Chiropractic care can see a patient’s risk of hospitalization show a decline of over 60%.
- Visiting a chiropractor is shown to reduce a patient’s ongoing pharmaceutical costs by up to 85%.
It is also shown to cause far fewer injuries – just 40 per 100,000 treatments – than other forms of general primary care.
Chiropractic benefits for injury prevention & wellness
The fact that an increasing number of people are using chiropractic care as a preventative measure has been a driving force behind its status as the fastest-growing area of primary care. Tellingly, there are several ways that chiropractic care can support your physical and mental health in the immediate and long-term future.
By seeing a local chiropractor in Phoenix, you may see any combination of the benefits detailed below:
Healing from existing injuries
As already noted, millions of Americans choose chiropractic care following injuries, regardless of whether they impact sporting injuries or progressive chronic pains caused by years of repeated postural issues. Dr. Campo and the Desert Shadow team see dozens of patients each week for post-injury chiropractic sessions. While treatments are particularly effective for a range of physical complaints, the benefits are far from limited to the recovery programs themselves.
When an injury isn’t treated in the correct fashion, it may lead to a variety of long-term problems, including but not limited to;
- A repeat of the same injury due to a weakness caused by inferior rehabilitation,
- Another injury to the same body part because its strength and condition have been compromised,
- Injuries to other body parts as you subconsciously change physical actions to protect the previously injured area.
- Chronic conditions onset by a change in posture caused by the impact of the initial injury you encountered.
- Mental health issues linked to fears of repeat injuries and the underlying knowledge that the initial problem is not fully under control.
Chiropractic care may be used as a sole treatment or in conjunction with other solutions depending on the type and severity of the injury. In the case of lower back pain, for example, it is shown to have a greater impact than medications, yoga, massage, and a variety of other issues.
Similarly, appointments with a chiropractor can reduce the likelihood of needing surgery. If you are able to complete a full recovery without surgical intervention, your body will be better positioned to resist future injuries too.
Addressing spinal realignment
The importance of spinal health cannot be emphasized enough. It is responsible for protecting your organs, nerves, and posture. Up to 8% of adults have chronic back pains while 65% experience at least one issue. In many cases, misalignment is at least partially at fault. Therefore, spinal realignment should be considered one of the most effective ways to promote improved back health, which will subsequently protect your physical and mental wellness for the long haul.
Conversely, if a spinal misalignment is left untreated, patients may experience the following short or long-term problems;
- An increased risk of sporting injuries because a misaligned spine will only provide limited protection,
- Chronic injuries due to the fact that a misaligned spine places added pressure on other body parts, not least limb bones,
- An increased risk of injuries like trapped nerves, which could lead to spasms or even permanent damage,
- Chronic pains to the spine itself, including injured vertebrae as well as immediate issues like slipped discs,
- Increased risk of pain and discomfort, not least due to issues like tension and stiffness when bending or moving.
The spine is quite literally the backbone to support physical movement and stability. If it is misaligned, there will be a knock-on effect on virtually every part of your skeleton and muscles.
Research shows that 8 in 10 Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime, which will significantly increase the risk of injuries on the sports field or in the workplace. From injuries caused by contact with another athlete to damage from repetitive movements, chiropractic care can serve to stop minor issues from escalating into serious injuries.
Improving other postural issues
One of the big misconceptions that people hold in relation to chiropractors is that they only work on localized problem areas. On the contrary, wellness care is a key element of the process and ensures that chiropractic benefits extend to general wellness. Supporting general posture is a particularly important feature, especially for office workers who spend 40+ hours of each week slumped over a desk, and can subsequently have a huge influence on overall wellness levels.
Chiropractic treatments and adjustments can help with both the management and prevention of acute or chronic conditions, such as;
- Reduce the risk of forward head, also known as tech neck, and the added strain this put on your neck,
- Prevent the development of progressive hunchback conditions, also known as kyphosis,
- Protect your lower core muscles from weakening due to swayback, which also put you at risk of injuries when bending,
- Preventing the progressive condition of flatback, which could make it difficult to stand without thigh pain,
- Reduce the risk of developing scoliosis, which previously developed primarily in adolescence, as an adult.
Over 100 million chiropractic adjustments are made globally each day, highlighting its impact in relation to correcting postural issues. Nevertheless, when combined with home-based stretches and postural strength exercises, it can become an essential feature of an injury prevention strategy.
A good posture in early adulthood can help stop or slow progressive conditions in later life while simultaneously having a positive influence on your personal image and confidence levels.
Increasing your range of movement
Spinal conditions can significantly reduce the range of movement in the back while also causing significant problems with the movement of your neck, hips, pelvis, legs, and arms. Joint pain impacts 1 in 4 Americans, but the benefits of regular chiropractic services include restoring your range of movement.
With spinal realignment and related treatments, it becomes far easier for the body to perform as intended, which can;
- Run, jump, or catch without causing pain by overstretching the muscles beyond the movement range that the nerves can withstand,
- Stop injuries or workplace accidents caused by being unable to bend or stretch as your body requires,
- Prevent injuries when lifting weights from being unable to extend or contract as desired due to locked movements,
- Reduce the risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis. osteoarthritis or related conditions,
- Help prevent rheumatoid arthritis or slow the rate of regression in people that already have it.
Through spinal realignment and additional chiropractic services, it is possible to support the frontal, sagittal, and transverse planes to help prevent injuries linked to a limited range of movement. This includes sporting injuries, workplace injuries, and problems caused during daily tasks.
Range of movement restrictions can be caused by spinal misalignment, trapped nerves, and a genuine lack of flexibility. A chiropractor can improve your movement to improve your quality of life and reduce the risk of injuries.
Reducing inflammation
Inflammation is often the source of your pain from back problems or other health issues. Chiropractic services can support your central nervous system through direct treatment as well as the indirect rewards of targeting the spine. Over 3 in 4 patients who have chiropractic care for back problems state that their care is highly effective, particularly in relation to pain relief. Similar results can be seen when considering the effectiveness of reduced inflammation in other body parts.
Realigning the vertebrae with the spine can deliver a plethora of benefits for injury prevention, including but not limited to;
- Make it easier for messages to be sent between the brain and the central nervous system, reducing the risk of muscle spasms,
- Reduce the risk of injuries caused by exhaustion or fatigue that occurs due to the inflammation has on your body,
- Benefit from pain relief without the side effects caused by some medications and the injury risks this can bring,
- Reduce the threat of injuries to other body parts caused by a subconscious focus on the area that is already inflamed,
- Support quicker healing from existing injuries, which naturally minimizes the risk of additional injuries.
Anti-inflammatory properties also support a strong immune system. In turn, this can have a positive influence on fighting infections. The increased overall wellness can reduce your risk of illness and injuries for years to come.
The benefits of reduced inflammation are noticed from the first visit, especially when managing an injury. When your muscles are not injured or inflamed, you will naturally become less prone to injuries in sporting occasions or daily life. As a natural form of pain relief, it holds many advantages over alternative solutions.
Lowering your blood pressure
Chiropractic benefits ultimately extend to all aspects of your well-being. The scientifically proven lowering of blood pressure levels is one example that shows how visiting a chiropractor can make a huge impact on your life. Aside from preventing injuries, it could help stop life-threatening problems like strokes and heart attacks. It has been shown that spinal readjustments are as effective as medications while the benefits of each session can last for six months.
Achieving a reduced blood pressure level can feed into your injury prevention strategy for many reasons, such as;
- Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases that can affect athletic performance and daily activities,
- Prevent the risk of mild cognitive impairment that may be caused by hypertension over a long period,
- Reduce how quickly your body gets fatigued, particularly during exercise or physical activity,
- Minimize the risk of eye-related injuries like retinopathy, optic neuropathy, and choroidopathy,
- Reduce the risk of chronic conditions to the organs, such as kidney failure or scarring.
For the best results, relief care can be supported by a variety of stretches and lifestyle changes. Ultimately, it can improve your quality of life and life expectancy in one fell swoop. When added to the potential chiropractic benefits from an injury prevention perspective, the reasons to book an appointment are clear.
All patients are unique. As such, your requirements for the type of chiropractic care offered or the frequency of sessions can vary greatly from one person to the next. A full consultation will determine how you can unlock the best outcomes.
Who can embrace chiropractic benefits for injury prevention?
Research into chiropractic care continues to show clear trends. For example, the 45-64 age demographic is the most likely to visit a chiropractor while women visit chiropractors for headaches twice as frequently as men. However, it is also shown that younger patients are turning to chiropractors for injury prevention and general wellness.
It isn’t a concept that is restricted to professional athletes, either. Healthcare workers, for example, are 4.5x more likely than most to experience injuries caused by overexertion. Whether using chiropractic benefits to reduce injury risks through concepts like boosting your immune system and lowering your blood pressure or by treating pre-injury symptoms before they escalate doesn’t matter. The services are safe for patients of all ages.
Book your chiropractic services in Phoenix, AZ today
If you’re worried about the early signs of a potential problem or the risks associated with your job and lifestyle, the Desert Shadows Chiropractic & Wellness team is here to help. Contact us to find out more or arrange a consultation today.