Sports Injury FAQs from our Birmingham Chiropractor

The Back On Track Chiropractic works with athletes representing a wide range of ability level, sports type, and age. We're happy to answer your questions about common sports injuries.

What are the most common types of sports injuries?

The following sports injuries are among the most frequently seen in our clinic:

• Whiplash
• Muscle strain (e.g., rotator cuff tear or hamstring pull)
• Ligament sprain (especially in the shoulder or knee)
• Back pain (often due to muscle strains, joint misalignments, or disc injuries)
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis (inflammation of fluid-filled sacs called bursa which reduce friction between tendons and bones)
• Nerve impingement (either in the back or in an arm or leg)
• Shin splints

These conditions can range from mild to severe. If left untreated, they can easily devolve into long-term problems associated with issues like decreased range of motion, scar tissue, instability, and weakness.

What are common symptoms of a sports injury?

No two cases of a sports injury are the exact same, so symptoms can vary significantly. Common signs and symptoms include pain, joint instability, reduced range of motion, numbness or tingling, swelling, localized tenderness, muscle spasms, and weakness. 

Who gets sports injuries? 

A sports injury can happen to anyone! Common reasons for injury include: 

• Inadequate rest, recovery, or training
• Poor movement patterns, body mechanics, or motor control 
• Improper use of or ill-fitting equipment
• Inadequate nutrition and hydration
• Sports accident: slip and fall, collision, etc. 
• Over-training

How can athletes benefit from chiropractic care?

Chiropractic care helps athletes three essential ways: injury treatment, injury prevention, and improved physical performance. Here are a few specific ways we can do this for you and your athletic loved ones:

• Spinal adjustments: realign spinal joints, revitalize your overall nervous system, and enhance muscular control and activation
• Nutritional counseling: learn how to adopt a way of eating that promotes anti-inflammation, cellular health, and optimal protein synthesis and recovery between workouts
• Corrective exercises: use these to correct muscle imbalances and improve your flexibility, coordination, balance, and strength
• Holistic lifestyle advice: learn everything from breathing exercises to visualization techniques to stress management strategies in order to improve health of body and mind

Are You an Active Person? Stay Healthy & Get Sports Injury Relief with Our Chiropractor in Birmingham

Dr. Scott Duca is a chiropractor in Birmingham AL who can offer you drug-free relief from whatever injury, acute or chronic, that's holding you back from your sport of choice. Whether you're learning a new sport or a serious competitor, we encourage you to contact us for natural injury healing and prevention. Call (205) 942-4243 today!