Injury Prevention

February 12, 2023

By Dr. Chris Weilandich, DC, LAT

Injuries are a common occurrence in everyday life, and can range from minor to severe. While some injuries are unavoidable, others can be prevented with the right precautions and care. Preventative chiropractic care is one method that can be used to reduce the risk of injury by improving joint health and reducing tension in the muscles. Chiropractors use a range of techniques to identify misalignments in the body and provide a variety of treatments to help correct them. 

improving joint health and reducing tension in the muscles

Chiropractic care can help to reduce the risk of injury by improving joint health and reducing tension in the muscles. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, chiropractic care was found to be an effective treatment for acute low back pain, which can be a common precursor to more serious injuries (1). Low back pain is often caused by poor posture, tight muscles in the back of the thigh, and poor biomechanics in the hips and pelvis. 

misalignments or areas of tension in the body

A chiropractor can assess your joint health and identify any misalignments or areas of tension in the body. By using adjustments, massage therapy, stretching, and other techniques, chiropractors can correct these misalignments and reduce muscular tension to improve joint mobility. This improved joint mobility leads to better balance and coordination, making it easier to move and perform physical activities with less effort and without injury.

imbalances in the body

Chiropractic care also addresses imbalances in the body that may predispose you to injury. A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found that chiropractic adjustments can improve leg length inequality, which can cause imbalances in the hips, spine, and legs, leading to pain and injury over time (2). Another study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that chiropractic care can improve joint proprioception, or the body’s ability to sense joint position, which can help to prevent injury from repetitive overuse movements or poor posture (3).

improve nerve function and communication with the body

Chiropractic adjustments help improve nerve function and communication with the body. Nerve compression or irritation can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the body. This decrease in communication makes it more difficult to move which can increase the risk of injury. Chiropractic adjustments can help to reduce nerve compression, improving nerve function and reducing the risk of injury (4).

dysfunctions in the body

Chiropractic care can help address any imbalances or dysfunctions in the body that may be contributing to injury. For example, if you have one leg shorter than the other, this can cause imbalances in the hips, spine, and legs, leading to pain and injury over time. A chiropractor can identify these imbalances and provide treatments to help correct them, reducing the risk of injury in the future.

provide guidance and education

Chiropractors can provide guidance on proper posture, body mechanics, ergonomics, stretching techniques, and other factors that can contribute to injury. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, chiropractic care can be effective in improving sitting posture in office workers, which can help to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (5)(6). By educating patients on how to move and perform physical activities safely and effectively, chiropractors can help to reduce the risk of injury.

Injuries can be a significant hindrance to our daily lives, but chiropractic care can play an essential role in reducing the risk of injury. By improving joint health and mobility, and addressing imbalances and poor posture, chiropractors can help patients move and perform physical activities with ease and reduce the risk of injury.

At Project Chiro, we specialize in providing high-quality chiropractic care to help our clients achieve optimal health and wellness. Our team of experienced and knowledgeable chiropractors uses a personalized approach to identify and treat each Client’s unique needs. Our experienced chiropractors are committed to promoting joint health and mobility and providing the highest quality care. Our skilled and compassionate team uses a range of techniques to assess joint health and provide personalized treatment plans to help our clients recover and prevent the risk of future injuries.

If you’re looking to improve function and reduce your risk of future or further injury and improve your overall health, wellness, and quality of life, Project Chiro is ready to help. Don’t let pain and injury hold you back any longer, contact Project Chiro today to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

1. Paige NM, Miake-Lye IM, Booth MS, et al. Association of Joint Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451–1460. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.3086
2. Cooperstein R, Lucente M. Comparison of supine and prone methods of leg length inequality assessment. J Chiropr Med. 2013;12(2):103-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2013.04.002.
3. Niazi IK, Türker KS, Flavel S, et al. Changes in H-Reflex and Vibration-Induced Illusory Movement Following Joint Manipulation. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2018;41(8):667-675. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2018.02.006.
4. Passmore SR, Burke J, Good C, et al. Effects of spinal manipulative therapy on autonomic activity and the cardiovascular system: a case series and literature review. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2014;37(6):437-451.
5. Bisiacchi D, Baggio G, Stocco P, Lalli A, Tettamanti A. Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy and Chiropractic Manipulation on Sitting Posture in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Occup Rehabil. 2019;29(2):381-388. doi: 10.1007/s10926-018-9775-5.
6. Cramer GD, Budgell B, Henderson CNR, et al. Updated techniques for the chiropractic adjustment: a cross-sectional survey of Australian chiropractors. Chiropr Man Therap. 2017;25:37.