5 Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Athletes

In 2019 alone, over one million injuries were caused by playing sports. Many of these injuries happened on the field, where over 800,000 injuries were caused by participating in sports. Bicycling had the highest casualty numbers (over 417,000 cyclists were injured while riding), with basketball (404,000 injuries) and football (292,000 injuries) following close behind. As athletes debate where and how to treat their injuries, many will inevitably turn to chiropractic care. Chiropractic care offers many benefits for aspiring and professional athletes, but there is an overwhelming amount of information on the internet. To help, here are five benefits that athletes can expect from chiropractors:

1. It can Treat (and Prevent) Injuries:

Experienced athletes know how common it is to injure themselves on the field. Therefore, a large part of an athlete’s healthcare program should include preventing, as well as treating, common injuries. Thankfully, a chiropractor can do both! 

Athletes’ bodies undergo enormous amounts of stress daily. To combat this, chiropractors can perform spinal adjustments and massage therapy to treat injuries. Spinal adjustment reduces pain in the joints and muscles, which helps to prevent injuries, while massage therapy increases blow flow to the muscles to help them heal. Additionally, it also restores one’s range of motion.  

2. It can Increase Performance

According to The Odyessy, athletes who make repeated visits to the chiropractor see increased performance while playing. In fact, several studies claim that athletes can see a 30% increase in performance after 12 weeks of care. This, according to The Odyessy, is a result of the increased range of motion people receive after repeated chiropractic care. 

3. Improved Strength 

The European Journal of Supplied Physiology published a study in 2018 claiming that regular chiropractic care can improve athlete’s strength. After separating a group of Taekwondo athletes into two groups – one which received chiropractic care and one that did not – they found that those who received care demonstrated increased muscle strength. The experiment was replicated with a group of U.S. military personal and found similar results. 

4. It’s a Natural Treatment

Surgeries and medication are typically the last resort in a treatment plan. Many people, athletes included, turn to natural remedies before considering extreme measures. Chiropractic treatment is non-invasive and drug-free. As an added bonus, the lack of surgery means that, for most athletes, they can return to the field straight away. 

5. It Reduces Stress 

Massage therapy is incredibly relaxing! If you’re an athlete looking to relieve stress and anxiety before playing, try the Swedish massage, one of the most commonly used techniques in America. The Swedish massage promotes general health and wellbeing throughout the body and is reportedly very relaxing. 

Dr. Michael Hartle and his team are experts in treating patients no matter their activity level. Book an appointment today! Dr. Hartle can usually see you the same day you book an appointment. 

Five Types of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is one of the best holistic treatments for various ailments. A proven method of pain and stress relief, massage therapy is astonishingly popular – over 47.5 million Americans sought out massage therapy in 2018. Today, we’ll look at five different types of massage therapies and the benefits they offer.

 

Swedish Massage

 

One of the most popular therapeutic massages, the Swedish Massage is both relaxing and energizing. Using long, even strokes and rhythmic tapping motions on the outermost layer of muscles, the Swedish Massage focuses on larger muscles (i.e. legs and arms) as well as smaller areas of the body. This massage focuses on deep movements that break down scar tissue and increases blood flow. More advanced masseuses may use effleurage (gliding strokes that relax muscles) or tapotement (short taps using cupped hands.)

 

Hot Stone Massage

The hot stone massage is another popular therapeutic massage. Created over 5,000 years ago, the hot stone massage was “reborn” in 1993 and experienced a surge in popularity during the next two decades. This therapeutic massage uses warm basalt stones to penetrate muscles and treat stiff limbs. The warm stones are used to massage muscles and relax the body. The heat improves blood flow and circulation while releasing accumulated toxins from the body. To increase effectiveness, have your chiropractor or masseuse place stones over the most stiff muscles in your body.

 

Deep Tissue Massage 

 

Perfect for those who suffer from chronic pain and tension, the deep tissue massage eases pain and releases toxins from the body. Using deep pressure to penetrate the body, it fixes spammed and knotted muscles as well as heal fibrous adhesion and trigger points. The deep tissue massage can potentially offer relief from chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia. It can also relieve chronic neck and back pain. Studies suggest that this massage can also improve posture, aid in sports-related muscle recovery, improve limited mobility, and aid in injury rehabilitation. 

 

The Thai Massage 

 

Dating back 7,000 years, the Thai massage is more “active” than other Western Massages. Instead of lying on a bed, customers lie on the floor and actively participate during the session. Thai massage is a combination of yoga, acupressure, and zen shiatsu. Practitioners will gently guide their clients into yoga-like poses and apply a slow, rhythmic massage that increases energy levels and blood flow. Participants can expect to transition from one position to the next to open the joints and facilitate limbering. 

 

A Thai massage has four basic poses: lying supine, lying on one’s side, lying on the back, and sitting up. While the pressure may seem intense at first, an experienced chiropractor will adjust to their clients’ needs. The Thai massage has numerous benefits for the body, including increasing flexibility, eliminating pain, improving posture, stimulating blood circulation, and relieving swollen joints. 

 

Shiatsu Massage 

 

Meaning “finger pressure” in Japanese, the Shiatsu massage is based on applying rhythmic pressure to key points of the body. By applying pressure, the massage is said to restore vital energy (chi). There are many benefits to the Shiatsu massage, including pain relief, headache relief, and improved sleep quality. 

 

If you’re looking for massage therapy that will treat your pain, Dr. Hartle and his team of experts have you covered! The professionals at Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic are fast, efficient, and can usually see you the same day you call. Book an appointment today!

Why Do Chiropractors Use Massage Therapy?

Chiropractic massage therapy is one of the most popular, alternative medicines in the United States. According to Consumer Reports, a study of over 34,000 people found that the majority preferred a deep tissue massage over conventional medicine to treat pain. It’s no wonder the chiropractic massage is so popular: a deep-tissue massage has been proven to treat a wide variety of ailments, including back pain, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis. To help patients manage pain and other issues, many chiropractors incorporate massage therapy into their practices. 

What is Chiropractic Massage Therapy? 

Chiropractic massage therapy combines two practices (chiropractic care and massage therapy) to create one discipline that focuses on easing sore muscles and quickly healing injuries. Treating the spine and the central nervous system is the focus of chiropractic massage therapy. Think of your nervous system as a car or truck – its job is to carry signals (both good and bad) throughout the body. And, like any other automobile, it may need repairs. This is where chiropractic massage therapy comes in – through minute, medical gestures, chiropractic massage therapy “fixes” the human body. This discipline “reminds” our bodies to perform their jobs and ensures that your central nervous system sends signals correctly. Through proper care and alignment, experts theorize that chiropractic massage therapy can prepare your body for whatever challenges life might throw in your way. 

What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Massage Therapy? 

Chiropractic massage therapy does more than relieve pain: it can also prevent pain throughout the body. Due to the many benefits of chiropractic massage therapy, many people seek chiropractic massage therapy to maximize their body’s ability to stay well. As an added bonus, this deep-tissue massage relieves tension, stress, headaches, and anxiety. 

What’s the Difference Between Chiropractic Massage Therapy and Massage Therapy?

Chiropractic massage therapy is a type of massage that focuses on the spine and body as a unit. It can realign vertebrae, treat discs, focus on low back pain, and relieve joint ailments. On the other hand, massage therapy focuses on alleviating tension, restoring flexibility, and increasing comfort. Massage therapy goes hand-in-hand with physical therapy and is often used to treat injuries. While massage therapy treats current pain, chiropractic massage therapy can prevent pain throughout the body.  

Can Anyone Administer Chiropractic Massage Therapy?

A chiropractic massage therapist must have a doctorate in chiropractic care. These doctorates are administered by the state and ensure that your chiropractor has knowledge of and can properly treat your musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Allen County Family & Sports Chiropractic’s own Dr. Hartle is a certified chiropractic physician that provides chiropractic massage therapy. He also holds several other certifications and is a board-certified Clinical Nutritionist (DACBN), a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), an Active Release Technique (ART) provider since 1995. If you want to pursue an active and healthy lifestyle through the power of chiropractic massage therapy, schedule an appointment with him today!

Five Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a standard method of relaxation. When picturing massage, it’s easy to envision scenes of soothing music, aromatherapy candles, and the melting of your worries. Although this is undoubtedly true, there are many more benefits of massage that are less obvious but just as helpful. 

Massage Therapy for Everyone

Before we dive into these five advantages, it’s important to note that massage therapy is beneficial for everyone in many different ways. Regardless of age, physicality, job, gender identity, race, and more, massage is a great option that targets an array of issues. Some techniques are even specific to certain demographics, such as children, athletes, or those suffering physical injuries. 

Benefit One: Stress Reduction 

Let’s start with the prominent perk—stress reduction. It’s the reason why many people choose to begin massage therapy. Studies show that relaxation techniques in massage cause an observable reaction in the brain. These methods result in increased endorphins, as well as heightened levels of both serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are all associated with the feeling of happiness and can help alleviate anxiety. Massage can also decrease cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for the stress we feel. 

Benefit Two: Injury Healing and Prevention

A lot of patients turn to the benefits of massage because of an injury. When damage occurs to your body, especially with muscle, joints, and ligaments, specialized massage therapy can help. Strategic pressure and movement can enhance the healing process for sustained injuries by releasing muscle tightness, reducing swelling, and decreasing scar tissue. This technique is a common practice in sports chiropractic care.  

Massage can also support the body in preventing future damage by increasing blood flow, lubrication, and stretching in muscles. Your body is “looser,” which enhances your range of motion. When this happens, injury is less likely to occur because your body can move better.  

Benefit Three: Reduce Acute and Chronic Pain 

The rhythmic motion along muscles works out what we call “knots,” which are tense muscle fibers. They can also contain a buildup of fascial tissue, which can cause something called a “trigger point.” At first, this muscle tightness can feel like small bits of pain, known as acute. But over time, that pain can become more frequent and even start to impact you chronically. By releasing these triggers, the accumulation of connective tissue dissipates, and your muscles are more loose and agile.

Benefit Four: Improved Circulation

As mentioned above, the rhythmic motion of massage increases blood flow in the body. When your blood is flowing more freely, that improves circulation. There are lots of benefits of massage therapy, but this one takes precedence. Poor circulation is responsible for various symptoms, including fatigue, digestive problems, cognitive decline, joint pain, swelling, numbness, and more. Addressing circulation issues can significantly improve your health.

Benefit Five: Enhance Immune System

Lastly, as massage improves circulation, that blood flow also enhances immune system function. Massage therapy can flush out toxins and increase the white blood cell activity in our bodies. Both of these results support immune functionality, but white blood cells are the ones that fight disease and can even lower cortisol.