Sports Injuries to the Cervical Spine
Sports provide the perfect “arena” for injuries to the cervical spine or neck. Contact sports such as football, hockey, wrestling and rugby head the list of offenders, but non-contact sports such as skiing, skating, diving and track and field may also play a role.
The most common types of cervical spine injuries in sports include:
- Cervical sprains/strains – includes injuries to the ligaments and/or muscles in the neck, which may result in pain that radiates to the shoulders, back, arms and hands.
- Fractures or dislocations – these are far more serious and may lead to spinal cord injuries that can produce paralysis.
- Damage to discs - includes tears, ruptures or herniation.
The most serious type of cervical spine injury is a spinal cord injury, which can lead to an inability to move, numbness, tingling sensations, inability to control leg/arm muscles, and/or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Many chiropractors have garnered permanent positions on all types of school, amateur and professional sports teams, including the Olympics, and for good reason. Sports Chiropractors, in particular, have received specialized training in the care of sports injuries. Many medical doctors have not received the necessary training to effectively diagnose and treat the neuromusculoskeletal problems that are so common among athletes.
Even wiser than proper care for upper spine injuries is prevention. And that’s where chiropractic care shines. Regular chiropractic care, along with proper strengthening, can help maintain this vital area of your spine and nervous system and help withstand the stress of competition.
Do you know one of those competitive types who should be seeing us? Urge them to see us. We can quickly determine if they’d be a good candidate for chiropractic care. Remind them that Olympic contenders and professional sports teams already see the wisdom of today’s chiropractic care.
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