More than any other health profession, Chiropractic's approach to health closely relates to the needs of the sports participant. Most sports involve body contact, fast starts and stops, and positioning that places an unusual amount of strain on the back and structural system. Doctors of Chiropractic consider a person as an integrated being, giving special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently so the player enjoys peak performance, a minimum injury risk, and fast recuperative powers.

At Ward Chiropractic Center we combine a number of services and techniques centered on sports chiropractic care. Each individual's treatments are customized to give the best outcome for quick injury recovery and preventive rehabilitation. Special emphasis is placed on allowing the athlete to continue their training program while the injury is healing. Our primary goal is to identify the cause of the problem and fix it. Additionally many athletes also receive care designed to aide in Peaking and Recovery to improve their training and racing performance. What makes us different is the combination of clinical experience and personal involvement and participation with athletics.

SPORTS CHIROPRACTIC ASSESSMENT

Each individual's assessment and treatment includes components of Sports Chiropractic Care. This assessment consists of a complete structural exam of the joint position and range of motion of the spine, pelvis and extremities. This is accomplished with functional and orthopedic tests, active and passive range of motion tests, and X ray films. Once the skeletal biomechanics are quantified, muscular flexibility and strength are assessed as well. Particular attention is given to areas of soft tissue adhesion that will alter the physiology and motor patterns of the muscles. Finally, any neurological deficits to the joints and muscles are also addressed. This information provides a blue print of each athlete's structural and functional biomechanics, which is then applied to the specific demands and movement patterns for their athletic activity/sport. Years of clinical experience following this treatment protocol with athletes have proven results.

SPORTS CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENTS

Once objectively identified, Spinal, pelvic and extremity malposition's / subluxations (fixated joints) are treated with specific chiropractic adjustments (manipulations). Chiropractic adjustments are safe, and are the most effective way to treat these joint issues. The adjustments correct each joint to its appropriate anatomic position, restores range of motion, and releases the adhesions to the surrounding ligaments causing the problem. We have found that if the joint mechanics are not corrected, soft tissue treatment or rehabilitation will not be successful or will take far too long to accomplish the desired goals.

SOFT TISSUE TREATMENT

Several treatments are used to address soft tissue adhesion (scar tissue) and muscular inflexibility. Active Release Technique is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. It uses motion to locate and to break up scar tissue and adhesions that can form due to direct injury or repetitive movement over time.

SPORTS MASSAGE

The Massage Therapists of Ward Chiropractic Center work provide the best sports massage treatment available. Sports Massage is specific treatment performed on athlete's muscles, tendons, and fascia to normalize flexibility, restore function, speed recovery, and remove scar tissue. It is a vital component of injury treatment protocols in conjunction with Sports Chiropractic Care, and is especially helpful with recovery form training and racing. Our therapists understand the injuries and demands of being an athlete.

EXERCISE / REHABILITATION AND INJURY PREVENTION ROUTINES

There are two main goals with the many tools and techniques used in this category: 1) Healing the injured area in the quickest time possible is the first priority. 2) Preventing future re-injury is the other. Stretching, strengthening, proprioceptive training, rehabilitation and injury prevention training programs are customized for each athlete to accomplish these goals.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Many different physiotherapy devices are utilized to aide in the healing process and aide with the chiropractic treatments. The following devices/tools are utilized: Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Ultrasound Therapy, Kinesio Tape, Decompression, Moist Heat Packs, and Ice.