The Patriots are World Champions once again. Are you fired up? Did the epic comeback fuel your desire to get back in shape? Tom Brady and Bill Belichick have already adopted a “No Days Off” theme for next season. Of course, they’ve been doing this for nearly two decades, and Tom is a professional athlete. You are not, nor should you try to be. Working out is a positive thing. Overdoing it leads to injuries.
There are two types of chiropractic care when it comes to sports injuries, preventive and follow-up. Preventative chiropractic care should occur before you step into the gym. A proper alignment of the spine and early detection of muscle imbalance can prevent sprains, chronic pain, and muscle tears.
Patriots Injury Report for Super Bowl LI
Prior to the kick-off last week, the New England Patriots listed seven players as questionable due to injury. Their premier tight end, Martellus Bennet, hyperextended his knee against Houston in the divisional round. Dont’a Hightower (shoulder), Vincent Valentine (back), and Malcolm Mitchell (knee) were also banged up. Alan Branch (toe) and Chris Hogan (thigh) rounded out the list.
Each of these players suffered from common athletic injuries that can be alleviated by chiropractic care. Shoulder and back pain can often be corrected by spinal re-adjustments. Injuries to the lower extremities can cause back and neck pain, so chiropractic adjustment can be preventative. The Patriots, like most NFL teams, keep a chiropractor on staff for that reason.
The Curious Case of Rob Gronkowski
In the seven years Rob Gronkowski has played for the Patriots he’s suffered nine major injuries. The odyssey started with a high ankle sprain in 2011, then a broken forearm (twice) in 2012; an infection due to surgery on the forearm (2012); a torn ACL (2013); and a sprained knee (2015). In 2016, Gronk started training camp with a torn pectoral muscle, followed that up with a pulmonary contusion in Week 9, and ended his season with a lower back injury in Week 11 against the Seahawks.
Is Rob Gronkowski a candidate for chiropractic care? Yes, he is. The back injury alone creates a need for it, but the overall injury history suggests he needs a change in his preventative health care regimen. At this stage, for the sake of his long-term health, he should probably retire, but that’s unlikely to happen. Like many of the patients we see at our office, his drive to succeed outweighs common sense.
Preventative Chiropractic Care for Athletes
Gronk is an extreme case, but those of us who don’t play professional football should still seek chiropractic care and advice before embarking on any strenuous physical activity. Runners are a prime example. The strain placed on the lower back and neck when running can cause a variety of injuries that could lead to chronic pain later in life. Weightlifting and martial arts are also high stress exercises that can result in spinal misalignment or compressed discs. The best course of action for anyone participating in these types of activities is to make an appointment with a chiropractor before you begin. Call us today to learn more.
You can reach Eastside Chiropractic Center by calling (401) 453-2225 or by emailing eastsidechiropracticri@gmail.com. We offer chiropractic evaluations, adjustments, range of motion testing, injury rehabilitation, massage therapy, low level laser therapy, and numerous additional wellness services.
