Chiropractic Care For Weightlifting: Enhancing Performance and Reducing Injury
Weightlifting has become a popular form of exercise for professional athletes and weekend warriors who want to build strength as well as muscle mass. While its benefits are endless, it should be noted that it can put a strain on the body’s musculoskeletal (related to muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cartilage) system.
The good news is that individuals who want to make the most of the said workout can include chiropractic massage in their recovery and maintenance routine. This is to achieve a natural and holistic approach for optimum performance, injury prevention, and basically everything in between.
Read on to find out more.
Weightlifting Popularity in the Philippines: The Olympic Connection
In the Philippines, the popularity of weightlifting skyrocketed when Hidaly Diaz won the country’s first-ever Olympic gold in the women’s 55 kilogram category for weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics. It can be said that she has inspired the whole country to dream big, work hard, and achieve unimaginable results.
Her Olympic story is one that is defined by resilience. In the 2012 London Olympics, she “DNFed” (did not finish), after three unsuccessful 118 kilogram clean and jerk attempts. She picked herself up, took silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the rest is history. While she did not compete in this year’s Olympic Games in France, Elreen Ando tried to continue Diaz’s success, but she eventually missed the podium finish in the 59 kilogram category.
Backed with impressive credentials: two-time Asian Weightlifting Championships Silver Medalist, 2022 Asian Games Bronze Medalist, and 2023 SEA Games Gold Medalist, Ando saw action in France, and Filipinos are hoping for a better finish in the next Olympics in Los Angeles (2028).
Understanding the Chiropractic Care – Weightlifting Connection
As mentioned above, chiropractic care that usually involves chiropractic massage is an alternative form of medicine that taps the human body’s unique and innate capacity to heal itself. Here, the spine as well as joints are gently and carefully manipulated to enhance body and nervous system functions. If properly executed, it can contribute to optimized strength, mobility, flexibility, and so on.
For athletes such as weightlifters, it can lead to improved performance, better muscle recovery, and reduced injury, among others. This is because the spine is crucial when it comes to allowing athletes and even ordinary individuals to perform at a high level. How? By providing ample support structure to the body.
However, there are certain spine and joint conditions that prevent athletes–in this case–weightlifters from fulfilling their full potential. The long list includes subluxation. According to Cleveland Clinic, subluxation is a condition wherein one of the joints is moved out of their place. In the case of the spine, one or more vertebrae are pushed out their place or misaligned.
If this happens, the body’s biomechanics are negatively affected and such a development can hamper physical performance. In addition, weightlifting, especially when done with the wrong form or inappropriate weight, can lead to subluxations and/or spinal misalignments. These conditions can have a negative impact on nerve communication and lead to stiffness, pain, decreased range of motion, and–in worse-case scenarios–injury.
This is where chiropractic treatment comes in; a chiropractic doctor may perform manual adjustments and other methods to restore nerve function, rectify spinal misalignments, revitalize nerve function, and enhance the body’s biomechanics. The aforementioned benefits are confirmed by a study that appeared in Science Direct.
What are the Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Weightlifters?
Now let us take a closer look at the benefits that were mentioned in the earlier paragraphs:
Injury prevention
Injury prevention is one of the reasons why many weightlifters include chiropractic massage and care in their training regimen. For this reason also, many sports and athletic entities include the said holistic method in their programs. This is according to a study that was published in the National Library of Medicine.
The said drug-free approach ensures proper spinal alignment and optimizes biomechanics. In turn, a chiropractic doctor can aid in reducing the risk of injuries that are directly related to weightlifting. The long list includes sprains, strains, and herniated discs, among others. Therefore, regular sessions can help in identifying as well as addressing potential issues before they escalate into major ones.
Enhanced Athletic Performance
According to a study that was published at the University of Bridgeport, chiropractic care is essential with regard to maximizing sports performance. How does the said holistic approach enhance performance? Well, for one, it can boost joint mobility, range of motion, flexibility, and so on.
With the said benefits, individuals who undergo regular care may experience greater efficiency and power with regard to athleticism. This can lead to improved lifting techniques, increased strength gains, and, therefore, pave the way to better overall results.
Improved Posture and Balance
According to Healthline, weight training offers a ton of benefits such as increased strength as well as improved physique, better mobility, and so on. However, too much of the said activity, or an inappropriate increase in weight may lead to postural problems that may balance issues over time. On top of this, individuals whose work involves sitting all day in front of a computer may also experience tech neck and other conditions.
The good news is that all is not lost for those who develop the aforementioned conditions. That is because chiropractic massage and other forms of chiro methods can effectively, efficiently, and safely address them. Not only that, the underlying causes of the said conditions are addressed. This means that the said alternative method can complement both short-term and long-term needs.
Pain Relief and Recovery
As stated earlier, weightlifting is a physically demanding and strenuous activity that may lead to soreness, pain, stiffness, and so on. This is where chiropractic massage comes in. It can minimize the probability of the aforementioned symptoms by reducing inflammation, promoting tissue healing, restoring joint function, and the like.
On top of the said massage, a chiropractic doctor may also perform soft tissue therapies, stretching exercises (which can be done at home), ergonomic measures, and nutritional recommendations. All these can reduce workout downtime and boost muscle recovery.
How Often Should a Bodybuilder See a Chiropractor?
This can be a tricky aspect of chiropractic massage for weightlifters. With the said athletes, the activities that are involved in training and competition can put postural stress on their bodies. For those who experience neck and back (mid-back or lower-back) pain, about two sessions per week is ideal.
However, it should be noted that when it comes to chiro care, there is no “one size fits all” approach. A chiropractor may perform assessment on the said athletes individually and come up with a personalized treatment based on the objectives or the severity of an injury, if there is any.
Should Bodybuilders go to a Chiropractor?
The decision of whether or not one should opt for chiropractic treatment to improve their weightlifting capacity is a personal one and should be made in consultation with a qualified medical professional and chiropractic doctor. In line with this, individuals who experience stiffness, pain, reduced mobility, and so on, may enjoy benefits such as improved performance as well as pain relief by means of spinal adjustments.
Consequently, choosing a tried and tested practitioner who understands the specific needs of weightlifters plays a key role when it comes to enjoying the benefits of the said holistic method to the fullest.
Summing up
Chiropractic massage is a worthwhile alternative treatment for weightlifters, professional athletes, or weekend warriors who want to improve their range of motion, minimize the probability of injury, alleviate pain, speed up recovery, and so forth.
However, it is essential to opt for a highly qualified chiro who has vast experience when it comes to treating athletes who want to take their performance to a whole new level.
Looking for a chiro clinic that can be your partner when it comes to achieving the health and fitness benefits that you yearn for? Book an appointment at Posture Perfect Chiropractic today. Our top-talent chiropractic doctors can help you achieve your full weight-lifting potential and more.
