Whether it’s an everyday workout or a championship game, sports injuries can happen to anyone at anytime. These injuries may have simple remedies like an ice pack or compress, but some may cause more serious damage to your body — especially when they involve your back. Luckily, there are some sports chiropractic techniques you can use to rejuvenate your body and bounce back from a sports-related injury in no time. Here are some simple recovery tips to relieve spinal stress and initiate a speedy recovery. 
1. Stretching
Stretching is a great, easy way to rehabilitate the spine. Your back needs to remain active to avoid stiffness that certain injuries may bring. It’s important to push your spine’s range of motion, which mobilizes the spine and provides long-term relief for back pain. Stretching other areas, other than the injured area, is beneficial to recovery as well because some stiff muscles limit other areas from flexibility. It’s also important to remain controlled when stretching and push only as much as your body can tolerate.
2. Strengthening
Pain relief may be achieved from stretching, but strengthening can help prevent future injuries. Back pain is especially less likely to occur if the spine is stable, stronger, and more durable. It’s recommended that back pain lasting longer than two weeks be remedied with chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, and strengthening exercises.
Exercises include:
- Hip bridges
- Side planks
- Lunges
- Back flexion
- Knee-to-chest
3. Water Therapy
Water therapy provides gentle conditioning and strengthening for even the most painful injuries. The water in the pool counteracts gravity and supports your weight, while still creating a gentle friction, thus reducing impact. This makes any stretching or strengthening movements easier for all types of injuries. It enables muscles to strengthen and rehabilitate in a safe, controlled environment.
4. Acupuncture
Anxiety about acupuncture is a common discouragement when it comes to your body’s recovery. The occasional acupuncture session can be beneficial to all types of injuries — from occasional back aches to painful muscle damage. This relatively painless and simple technique loosens blockage or disruption to your energy pathways, allowing energy to circulate through your body properly. Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world and is used in numerous ways, including managing muscle and back pain. It can also be used as a preventative measure and balancing treatment to restore health and energy.
Sports-related injuries are painful and the recovery process that accompanies them can be slow. Sports chiropractic techniques for recovery often include addressing the entire body including extremities like ankles, feet, and knees, shoulders, elbows and wrists, and are used to relieve pain and restore strength to prevent future injuries. Although these tips are helpful in rehabilitating your body, it’s also important to assess your injury and decide if it needs further professional medical attention. Call our office to set up a consultation and see if chiropractic, massage, acupuncture, and core stability can help you.