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:
    Sports provide the perfect arena for injuries to the cervical spine or neck.
  • 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.

Dr. Kevin  Asks some important questions of interest to Atascocita and Kingwood residents - Chiropractor Atascocita and Kingwood Dr. Kevin Asks...

Can someone who has had back surgery receive chiropractic care?
Yes. Rest assured that we will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. However, what we find is that surgical interventions will often produce spinal instability above or below the involved level. This is will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
Are chiropractors just concerned with the spine?
Our interest in the spine is because it covers the major communications conduit between your brain and your body. As a Atascocita and Kingwood chiropractor my job is to locate areas (usually along the spine) that interfere with proper nerve communications to and from your brain. Chiropractic adjustments help restore nervous system integrity. In this way, chiropractic care can affect the function of your entire body.