Maximize Recovery After a Game with a Sports Chiropractor
Sports chiropractor Dr. Stanmore G. Langford III can help prevent and treat sports-related injuries with adjustments and physical therapy at his Chula Vista, CA, practice. With a focus on treatment for college and professional athletes, he has treated football players, soccer players, and MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters throughout San Diego. In addition to readjustments of the spine, elbows, shoulders, wrist, knees, ankles etc. and other joints, the doctor can also expand the nasal passages to improve breathing in patients with nose-related trauma.
How Can a Chiropractor Treat Sports-Related Injuries?
Like car accidents and repetitive motions at work, sports can have a long-term impact on the body. Injuries can range anywhere from muscle strain to broken bones. However, because most sports are oriented around specific events that are scheduled ahead of time, it is much easier to prepare for potential injury. As a result, Dr. Langford can help athletes both prevent and treat injuries. While the doctor does offer treatment in the wake of injury, his focus is not on emergency medical care.
As a chiropractor, Dr. Langford instead concentrates on helping the body recover by correcting misaligned joints. Like a loose screw or a poorly working joint, even minor misalignments or “subluxations” of the bones and muscles can lead to more serious injury if left untreated. Dr. Langford strives to prevent such problems before they happen and correct them if they already have.
Dr. Langford has provided comprehensive care for athletes in both collegiate and professional leagues. While the majority of these patients have been soccer and football players, he also specializes in treating MMA fighters before and after bouts. Included among his past patients are professional mixed martial artists Diego Sanchez, Ken Shamrock, Frank Shamrock, Rally Perez, and others.
What Should Patients Expect During Treatment?
In most cases, the treatments for sports-related injuries differ from other types of chiropractic care. The process is usually split into three parts: correction, recovery, and rebuilding.
After determining the source of pain/problem, Dr. Langford will correct the subluxations, often using a combination of manual therapy and adjuster tools to realign joints. Depending on the severity of the misalignment, this process may take multiple appointments. When the subluxation has been corrected, we can begin soft tissue therapy or massage the affected area to increase recovery.
Once the soft tissue has healed sufficiently, patients can usually start on physical therapy to restore normal motion and rebuild strength and flexibility. Dr. Langford dedicates one day a week at the office to physical and physiotherapy, when he and a number of therapists work one-on-one with patients. Our team will also provide patients with a series of supplementary, at-home exercises tailored to their particular injury and situation.
With high impact sports such as football and MMA fighting comes a much higher risk of injury. In order to stay in peak condition, athletes need a professional who can help them recover quickly and effectively from injuries.
Preparatory Care
For professional MMA fighters preparing for a fight, Dr. Langford typically recommends at least one to two visits beforehand. This timing gives him the opportunity to identify and correct any subluxation giving the fighter the ability to be at his optimal before the fight.
Protect Yourself Against Sports Injuries
With high impact sports such as football and MMA fighting comes a much higher risk of injury. In order to stay in peak condition, athletes need a professional who can help them recover quickly and effectively from injuries. Reach out today to set up a consultation with Dr. Langford and begin planning your treatment plan.
