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There are good reasons why the athlete should seek a sports
chiropractor for the treatment and rehabilitation of a sports
injury. Active people are physically and emotionally different
from sedentary ones. Most physicians have not had special
training in sports medicine or rehabilitation. Consequently,
even outstanding physicians who don't treat athletes regularly
often make mistakes in the diagnosis and treatment of athletes'
neuromusculoskeletal problems.
Young athletes are often in the
peak of physical condition and motivation, which accounts
for a rapid rate of recovery. It is also observed that the
cumulative effects of constant athletic small stresses over
a long duration can give rise to the same difficulties as
severe sudden stress. Spinal injuries in sports constitute
only about three percent of all athletic injuries. Thus, the
chiropractor must be well prepared to manage the various
musculoskeletal injuries that occur away from the spine.
While conditioning is emphasized
in athletics, the motivation is frequently on winning, rather
than on prevention of injury. While this seems illogical,
chiropractors handling athletic injuries must understand
this if they are to properly evaluate and provide service.
The development of cooperation between team physician, family
physician and chiropractor helps to reduce the problem of
conflicting opinions, often delivered to an already confused
athlete. The typical family doctor has little knowledge
of the practicalities involved in specialized sports injury
management, and should accept logical procedures and recommendations
when explained by the chiropractor.
The chiropractic approach
toward athletic injuries has demonstrated that everyone is
better served by having the injured player promptly and ably
treated, thereby obtaining recovery before irreparable
damage is done. The chiropractor with a special interest in
athletes must be prepared to handle their injuries, and must
in turn pass this information on to other physicians. It
must be recognized that in the management of athletic
injuries, the patient must get complete recovery, or he or
she is no longer an athlete.
Sports chiropractic and
chiropractic rehabilitation have received a considerable
amount of attention in recent years. Some of the reasons for
the increased awareness and interest are the publicity
afforded the injuries of professional athletes; the injuries
resulting from the increased participation by individuals in
physical fitness and recreational athletics; and the
government's role in encouraging physical fitness through
the president's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Sports chiropractic and chiropractic rehabilitation have
developed at a considerable pace over the last decade.
Dr. Cady is active in sports and enjoys helping his patients
enjoy a complete recovery and return to the sports they
love.
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