It is amazing the amount of sportspeople who are thanking their chiropractor and the work that they do to help keep them performing at their best. They see chiropractor in Chatswood, not just as a therapy or a treatment, but a way of life.
What is it that Chiropractic care has to offer that makes it so unique? That these Olympic and professional sportspeople utilise it to give them an ‘edge’?
One study, appearing in The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation, reported that athletes who received chiropractic care exhibited up to a 30% increase in athletic ability after 12 weeks of treatments. Areas tested included skills such as kinesthetic perception, power, reaction time, agility and balance. Improvements were significantly different than those who did not receive chiropractic treatments during the same period.
In another recent article, an elite race-walker under chiropractic care received chiropractic adjustments to his spine and knee joints over a period of 6 weeks, and he subsequently broke his own personal best times recorded for three separate distances, even when those best times were already national and state records!
Chiropractic has been found to not only improve performance, but also keep athletes in the game. In a ground-breaking research article, researchers found that by combining chiropractic care with standard medical and physiotherapy approaches, the incidence of injuries in an Australian football team was significantly reduced. This was specifically related to primary lower limb muscle strains and weeks missed due to non-contact knee injuries. It also indicated a trend toward lower limb injury prevention with the addition of sports chiropractic intervention.
What do the professionals have to say?
Arnold Schwarzenegger Mr Olympia; 7 times Mr. Universe:
We’ve got to let the people know that there is a necessity, it’s not even an option, it’s a necessity to have a chiropractor. As much as it is a necessity to have a dentist, if you have a dentist for the family, you should have your chiropractor for the family.”
Bradley Wiggins Gold medal 2012 Olympic Games Road Time Trial after claiming victory in the 2012 Tour de France, Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie, and the Critérium du Dauphiné:
“From the first session with my Chiropractor I had great results that were not short lived. That, followed up with regular sessions, I saw improvements that I had never seen before and that reflected in the way my body held up on a day to day basis which eventually saw me achieve 4th place in the 2009 Tour de France under his supervision. My Chiropractor will undoubtedly remain an integral part of my medical support in the forthcoming seasons and lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.”
- Lauro A. Mouch B. Chiropractic effects on athletic ability – The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation (1991); 6: 84-87
- Jarosz BS & Ellis WB. The Effect on a Racewalker’s Sports Performance with Chiropractic Treatment : A Case Report – Chiropr J Aust 2010; 40: 117-19.
- Hoskins W, Pollard H. The effect of a sports chiropractic manual therapy intervention on the prevention of back pain, hamstring and lower limb injuries in semi-elite Australian Rules footballers: a randomized controlled trial – BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2010 Apr 8;11:64
undoubtedly remain an integral part of my medical support in the forthcoming seasons and lead up to the London 2012 Olympic Games.”
Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls, Six times NBA champion, Five times Most Valuable Player:
“I didn’t know how much I could improve until I started seeing a chiropractor. Since I’ve been in chiropractic, I’ve impoved by leaps and bounds both mentally and physically.”
Peter Brock Legend of the Australian motor racing scene. His remarkable history and unparalleled success includes 9 wins at Bathurst and Sandown. He holds the ATCC record of 2657 points, including 37 1st placings, 46 2nd and 27 3rd in 29 years of racing:
“Before I had regular chiropractic care, I had only “first aid” type care a few times prior. I guess you could say I was in a slow physical decline.”
“When I began regular chiropractic care and maintenance, it was not due to any crisis, but rather as a realization that things couldn’t continue as they had been. I immediately felt lighter, stronger and more aware of everything that was happening around me. This included my body and it’s performance levels, even my taste buds. I grew an inch at the age of 39.”
“I became far more energetic, clearer of mind and in time with the intuitive component of myself. To me, this constitutes success.”
“Let’s be frank, preventative health care and general well-being are what society needs, not more drugs or procedures that encourage people to hand responsibility for their health to others. Chiropractic care has only realised a small part of its true potential”
It is not only the professionals and high level athletes who are benefitting from having their body perform at a higher level. Within our clinic we look after a number of junior sportspeople: soccer players, netballers, swimmers, rugby players, and athletes. Some are at an elite level whist others run around the park to stay fit and participate in sport.
The biggest boost is when parents and their children report back that they are doing their best as they are injury free, they are no longer run down, they are not getting sick (the cold or flu), or they no longer have to have three puffs of Ventolin before training – just to get through training. Add to this the personal bests that they are achieving, the enjoyment that they are attaining plus how they are doing better at school…what’s not to like about what I do as a chiropractor.
The results speak for themselves. When you have nerve system interference removed from your body, you is able to perform and operate at a higher level.
Chiropractic and its role in sport is probably best summed up by Australian Olympic Gold medal cyclist, and record holding 17 Tours of the Tour de France, Stuart O’Grady who attributes his longevity on the European cycling circuit to chiropractic care.
- “Chiropractors offer so much more, from newborns and children to sports people and seniors. The modern chiropractor has a wealth of knowledge and could assist you in becoming a healthier and wiser person when it comes to looking after yourself. Take it from me.”