Chiropractic & Running

Chiropractic adjustments help ensure that the body functions as efficiently as possible, which can maximize not only performance but healing and recovery from all types of injuries.

When the spine is in its optimal structural position, the nerves are protected and optimal communication exists between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. The vertebra of the spine are susceptible to certain stresses and forces, which can cause them to lose their proper position.

These minor misalignments of the spine cause nerve interference and weaken the entire structure of the spine. Athletic training can often jar and misalign the spinal column, because the spine is at the center of the body. Impact to the legs, feet, head, shoulders and torso often radiates to the spine. Because of its ability to maintain optimum health and structural balance, chiropractic care has helped many athletes to achieve their goals. 

Runners stand to benefit the most from chiropractic because of the grueling nature of the sport and it’s potentially detrimental affects on the joints of the foot, knees, and hips. Running is a repetitive motion sport that requires your body to undergo wear and tear at a much higher rate than non-weight bearing sports or everyday activities. With each driving stride, a vibration with a force of three times the athletes’ body weight will shock the runner. 

This repetitive action – on a misaligned spine – can contribute to increased wear and tear and lead to recurring injuries. Just like tires can wear out quickly on a poorly aligned front end, the human body begins to break down when it’s out of alignment. When this happens, we often see arthritis on one side of the body due to this imbalance, which can become permanent without care. It’s no wonder the world’s elite runners make regular chiropractic care part of their wellness routine.

Regular chiropractic care can help you run longer and more efficiently by addressing imbalance and misalignment in the spine – prior to the onset of injury and/or chronic conditions.

In addition, there is now a growing body of scientific research that proves chiropractic helps athletic agility, balance, reaction time, and power. A Canadian research team included Chiropractic care in the rehabilitation program of sixteen injured female long distance runners. Not only did these runners recover quickly, seven of them actually scored “personal best” performances while under Chiropractic care.

Chiropractic helps athletes increase the awareness of their own body—and when you pay more attention to what’s going on in your body, you naturally take better care of it.

Grimston, SK, Engsberg JR, Shaw L & Vetanze NW, (1990) “Muscular rehabilitation prescribed in coordination with prior chiropractic therapy as a treatment for sacroiliac subluxations in female distance runners” Chiropractic Sports Medicine p.2-8