Sports and exercise place repeated demands on muscles, joints, and connective tissues. Some soreness after training is normal, but persistent or recurring pain can be a sign that something deserves a closer look.
At Canada Chiropractic in Salt Lake City, Dr. Angie Canada, DC works with active adults, recreational athletes, and competitive athletes dealing with musculoskeletal complaints related to training, sports, and movement.
A chiropractic evaluation can help identify whether joint mobility, muscles, soft tissues, movement patterns, training demands, or previous injuries may be contributing to symptoms.
Normal Soreness vs. a Possible Sports Injury
Not every ache after exercise means something is wrong.
Delayed-onset muscle soreness, often called DOMS, commonly develops after unfamiliar or more intense exercise and typically improves over several days.
An evaluation may be more appropriate when symptoms:
- Persist instead of gradually improving
- Keep returning during the same activity
- Limit normal movement
- Change the way you run, lift, throw, swing, or move
- Cause you to avoid certain activities
- Interfere with sleep
- Become more intense with continued training
The pattern of symptoms often matters as much as where the pain is located.
What Types of Sports-Related Problems May Be Appropriate for Chiropractic Evaluation?
Some musculoskeletal complaints may be appropriate for conservative chiropractic evaluation, including back pain, neck pain, joint stiffness, restricted mobility, muscle tightness, repetitive-use discomfort, some overuse-related complaints, movement-related pain, and symptoms associated with certain training positions or activities.
An evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care appears appropriate for the athlete’s specific presentation.
What Is an Overuse Injury?
Overuse injuries develop when repeated physical stress exceeds the body’s ability to adapt or recover. They can be influenced by sudden increases in training volume, repetitive movement, insufficient recovery, changes in equipment or technique, weakness or reduced mobility, returning to activity too quickly, and training through persistent pain.
Overuse problems can affect recreational athletes just as easily as competitive athletes. Ignoring recurring symptoms can sometimes lead to longer interruptions in training.
When Should an Athlete Get an Injury Evaluated?
Consider having a sports-related problem evaluated when pain lasts longer than expected, symptoms are worsening, pain repeatedly returns during training, range of motion is reduced, strength feels noticeably different, you begin compensating or changing your movement, a joint feels unstable, or the problem interferes with normal activity or training.
Mayo Clinic notes that sports injuries deserve medical evaluation when pain is significant or worsening, function is lost, or substantial swelling or deformity is present.
When a Sports Injury Needs Medical Attention
Some injuries should not be managed as routine musculoskeletal soreness. Seek appropriate medical evaluation for significant swelling, obvious deformity, inability to bear weight or use the injured area normally, severe or rapidly worsening pain, significant weakness, numbness or neurological symptoms, suspected fracture, significant head injury, loss of consciousness, or symptoms suggesting concussion.
Athletes with a suspected concussion should not return to play the same day.
What Happens During a Sports Chiropractic Evaluation?
Dr. Canada may ask how the injury happened, when symptoms began, which movements aggravate symptoms, training frequency and intensity, recent activity changes, previous injuries, whether symptoms affect daily activities, and what the athlete hopes to return to.
The physical evaluation may include range of motion, joint mobility, muscle and soft-tissue assessment, movement patterns, strength when relevant, and neurological screening when appropriate. The goal is to better understand what may be contributing to symptoms before deciding on treatment.
What Might Sports Chiropractic Care Include?
Depending on the athlete and the examination findings, care may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, soft tissue treatment, mobility work, exercise recommendations, activity modification, and guidance for gradually returning to normal training.
Treatment should be individualized. The goal is not to promise faster recovery or improved athletic performance; it is to address relevant musculoskeletal findings and support comfortable, functional movement.
What Role Does Soft Tissue Care Play?
Sports-related discomfort is not always limited to joints. Muscles and other soft tissues may contribute to tightness, restricted movement, tenderness, and movement-related discomfort.
Dr. Angie’s prior 13 years of massage-therapy experience influences the way she considers both joint and soft-tissue factors when evaluating active patients. Depending on the situation, care may include manual soft tissue techniques or Graston Technique.
What About Kinesio Tape?
Kinesio tape may sometimes be used as an adjunct to care for certain musculoskeletal complaints. It should not be presented as a treatment that heals injuries, corrects biomechanics, or guarantees improved athletic performance.
When used, it is one tool within a broader treatment plan rather than a substitute for appropriate evaluation, movement, and rehabilitation. Learn more about Kinesio Tape.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Back or Neck Pain From Sports?
Back and neck complaints are common among active people. Training, lifting, repetitive motion, contact sports, prolonged athletic positions, and previous injuries may all contribute to symptoms.
When the presentation appears musculoskeletal, chiropractic care may be one conservative option. Learn more about Back Pain Treatment and Neck Pain Treatment.
How Do You Know When You Are Ready to Return to Sports?
Return-to-play decisions should not be based only on whether pain has decreased. Important considerations can include pain level, range of motion, strength, stability, movement quality, ability to perform sport-specific activities, confidence during movement, and the nature and severity of the injury.
A gradual return is usually more appropriate than immediately resuming full training after an injury.
Dr. Angie’s Sports and Exercise Background
Dr. Angie Canada, DC has an undergraduate background in Sports & Exercise Science from the University of Utah and has practiced chiropractic since 2012. She also spent 13 years working as a massage therapist before becoming a chiropractor.
That combination gives her a practical perspective on joints, muscles, soft tissues, movement, and the physical demands of exercise and sports.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injuries and Chiropractic Care
When should an athlete see a chiropractor?
An evaluation may be appropriate when musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, or recurring discomfort is interfering with training, sports, or normal activity.
Can a chiropractor treat sports injuries?
Chiropractors may evaluate and conservatively manage certain musculoskeletal complaints. The appropriate treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury.
Can chiropractic care help an athlete return to sports faster?
Recovery time depends on the injury and the athlete. Chiropractic care should not be promoted as a guaranteed way to shorten recovery or accelerate return to play.
Should I keep exercising if something hurts?
Mild post-exercise soreness may be normal, but persistent, worsening, or activity-limiting pain should not simply be ignored.
Can chiropractic care prevent sports injuries?
No treatment can guarantee injury prevention. Strength, conditioning, recovery, appropriate training progression, sport-specific preparation, and other factors all contribute to injury risk.
Can athletes receive chiropractic care along with physical therapy?
Yes, depending on the situation. Different types of conservative musculoskeletal care may sometimes be used together when appropriate.
Sports Chiropractic Care in Salt Lake City
If pain, stiffness, or a recurring sports-related problem is keeping you from training or participating the way you want to, an evaluation can help you understand what may be contributing and what options are available.
Dr. Angie Canada, DC provides individualized sports and musculoskeletal care at Canada Chiropractic in Salt Lake City. Her background in Sports & Exercise Science, chiropractic care, and massage therapy gives her a broad perspective on the physical demands athletes place on their bodies.
If you are ready to address a nagging sports-related problem instead of continuing to train around it, schedule an appointment with Dr. Canada. She can evaluate your symptoms and help you work toward moving more comfortably and confidently in the activities you enjoy.
Learn more about Sports Performance.
Ready to Get Back to the Activities You Enjoy?
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Angie Canada, DC to have your sports-related pain, stiffness, or movement concerns evaluated and take the next step toward feeling and moving better.
