Football
Football and Sports Chiropractic
As one of the most popular sports worldwide, research into common footballing injuries has been extensive. The mechanism for some of the most common footballing injuries (such as ACL ligament tears, ankle sprains and meniscal injuries) has been examined by sports scientists around the world. Likewise, the stress and strain that footballers accumulate through matches and through an entire season has been very closely linked into. To adapt to this strain in various muscle groups and joints, footballer’s need to ensure their entire body is functioning at the highest possible level. If there is any stiffness in joints or weakness in muscle groups, the season long stress and strain will cause certain areas to become overloaded and the footballer will become prone to injury.
What are the common football injuries?
Aside from any traumatic injuries that may develop due to collisions and impacts with other players, there are various injuries, both short and long term, that footballers are likely to experience:
- Ankle sprains
- Knee ligament injuries (MCL, LCL, ACL injuries)
- Knee meniscus injuries (the cartilage)
- Hamstring injuries
- Low back pain
- Quadricep and hip flexor injuries
How Can Chiropractic Care Help Footballers?
Sports chiropractic care helps footballers recover from pain and injuries. If we stopped working with footballers once they were merely painfree, we would be no better than a packet of paracetamol. Instead, we aspire to help footballers become the best version of themselves through a body operating at maximum capacity. This means making sure any injured areas are strengthened to ensure they don’t become injured again.
Additionally, making sure joints around the body such as the foot and ankle complex, the pelvis and the upper back are moving correctly. If any of these areas become stiff and lose movement, certain muscle groups become prone to injury. For example, stiffness in the pelvis can cause hamstring injuries to become more likely.
What Does Chiropractic Treatment For Footballers Consist Of?
One of the key areas we work on in pretty much every footballer that comes through our doors is the foot and ankle complex. If this area were to become stiff, the entire running pattern is altered, becoming less efficient and overloading the knee and hip.
The treatment we use will depend on which specific injuries or problems the footballer in front of us has. We will invariably use a combination of:
- Spinal joint adjustments
- Extremity joint adjustments (foot and ankle, knee, hip)
- Tight muscle releases (using various techniques)
- Sports taping if indicated
On top of the hands on treatment, we also use progression of exercises to ensure any injured or problematic areas stay as strong and injury free as possible.
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