Sports injuries
Care path: Chiropractic
Whether you compete, train for fitness or just stay active, an injury can stop your routine. Dr. Nick works with athletes and active people to understand what was injured, what has compensated around it, and how to get back to training.
Common questions
Should I rest or keep training?
It depends on the injury. Some overuse problems do better with modified training than with complete rest; others need rest or a medical evaluation first. An evaluation helps you decide what you can keep doing and what to change for now.
Which injuries do people come in for?
People ask about problems such as heel and arch pain (plantar fasciitis), tennis and golfer’s elbow, rotator cuff and shoulder pain, hamstring problems, and back pain from training. Whether care at the practice is appropriate depends on your evaluation.
Why look beyond the injured spot?
The body compensates. An ankle problem can change how the knee, hip and lower back move, and a stiff upper back can load the shoulder. The Gonstead evaluation looks at the joints around the injury as well as the injury itself.
What is shockwave therapy used for?
Radial pressure wave (shockwave) therapy is offered for some stubborn tendon and soft-tissue problems, on its own as a 20-minute visit or as part of a chiropractic visit. Ask whether it is appropriate for your injury.
Do I need an MRI or X-ray?
Not always. If imaging would help, Dr. Nick refers you to a nearby imaging provider. Some injuries need medical imaging right away; see the warning signs below.
How do I stop it from happening again?
Recurring injuries often come down to training load, recovery, sleep, nutrition and how you move. Coaching on those habits is part of how Dr. Nick works.
How the practice approaches sports injuries
How it happened
The injury itself, your training, previous injuries and what you are trying to get back to.
A detailed evaluation
Plan for at least 60 minutes for your first chiropractic visit. The evaluation covers the injured area and the joints around it, including orthopedic and neurological testing.
Specific, hands-on care
When the evaluation identifies joint dysfunction, Dr. Nick adjusts specifically and adds soft-tissue work. Shockwave therapy may be discussed for some tendon problems.
A plan back to training
What to keep doing, what to modify for now, and how to build back up.
When to seek urgent medical care
Stop and go to an emergency department, or call 911, for:
- Numbness, coldness, or a pale or blue color below the injury
- A visible deformity, or bone breaking through the skin
- A blow to the head followed by confusion, vomiting, a worsening headache or loss of consciousness
Stop training and get medical care the same day for:
- Any blow to the head followed by a headache, dizziness or feeling “off”; do not return to play until a medical professional clears you
- An inability to put weight on the leg or use the arm
- A pop followed by rapid swelling
- Severe pain that does not ease with rest
Other things we help with
Get back to training with a plan
Request a first chiropractic visit, or ask the practice whether a shockwave visit fits your injury.
This page is general education, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Individual needs and outcomes vary.