Sports Chiropractor: What Defines Their Role?

sports chiropractor

If you have played sports in your life and sustained any injuries from the activity, chances are you’ve heard about or seen a sports chiropractor. Sports chiropractors specialize in patients that have suffered injuries to their musculoskeletal systems during training or while playing in a game.

A sports chiropractor will often travel with teams to be on-site to provide health services and adjustments to any athlete on the team. They will also help create programs for the team to partake in to prepare their bodies for the stress of competitive play and prevent future injury.

Certified chiropractic sports physicians (sports chiropractors) train for years to look to help athletes prevent injury and identify the unique signs and symptoms of musculoskeletal damage.

What Types of Injuries or Ailments Can a Sports Chiropractor Help With? 

Sports chiropractors are primarily going to help athletes recover from sports-related trauma and nagging injuries, but they can also help non-athletes recover from activity-related pains and injuries as well. 

A sports chiropractor will also make sure to offer plenty of insight, knowledge, and guidance to help athletes and non-athletes alike best prepare their bodies to not endure repeat injuries. 

Let’s take a look at some specific areas of the body that a sports chiropractor will often work on.

Neck Injuries 

The neck is one of the most complex structures in the body, and it is also one of the most vulnerable areas for sports-related injuries. Your neck supports the entire weight of your head along with the top of your spine and spinal cord. 

Contact sports, such as lacrosse, hockey, and football, leave the neck vulnerable to injuries. Even horseback riding can wear on the neck and cause neck pain and other minor injuries. 

The abrupt movements that happen frequently in sports cause neck sprain, whiplash, or even cervical fractures. A certified chiropractic sports physician will diagnose and treat the injury with chiropractic adjustments and other chiropractic modalities. 

If the injury to the neck is severe and beyond their ability to provide treatment, a sports physician will likely recommend a visit to an orthopedic specialist/surgeon.  


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Back Injuries

Back pain and back injuries are common for athletes. Both contact and non-contact sports alike put the back at risk for acute or chronic injuries. 

Contact sports can cause the vertebrae in the back to become misaligned. However, even golf or gymnastics can cause strains, sprains, and even disc herniation.

Back injuries and pains can occur in daily life, whether sports are involved or not. The back is sensitive to all-types of routines and conditions. 

Extended periods of sitting at a desk can cause back pains and issues. Your back can be temperamental, but a sports chiropractor will be able to treat sports-related and other back injuries/issues that lead to debilitating back pain. 

Knee Injuries

The knee is the most commonly injured joint. The knee houses some of the body’s most important ligaments, and with sudden movement or long-term wear, these ligaments can be damaged. 

Among the most prevalent knee injuries are an ACL tear and onset Patellofemoral Syndrome. 

A sports chiropractor can also use chiropractic treatments for patients recovering from knee surgery to help the healing process. 

A sports chiropractor will help athletes avoid these types of injuries in the first place by creating programs to strengthen the areas most susceptible to injury, including the knees.

Getting Back in the Game

Dr. Scott Rosner is an experienced and certified chiropractic sports physician. He’s seen all types of sports-related injuries and has worked with world-class athletes and associations. 

He has been accredited and certified by both the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians and through the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic.

Dr.Scott will work with athletes and non-athletes alike to get them feeling good, recovering well, and prepared mentally and physically for whatever active lifestyle challenges await. 
Please reach out today to learn more about our chiropractic treatments and services.