Boxing is a demanding sport that is not for the weary and faint-hearted. Its level of intensity demands physical conditioning and mental toughness. Plus, the strenuous activities involved: training, sparring, competition, etc., may put immense stress on the body. If mismanaged or left untreated, it may lead to injuries as well as chronic pain.
To prevent them from developing, boxers–whether professional, amateur, or weekend warriors–are advised to take care of their bodies by means of proper training, physical therapy, and chiropractic treatment.
The last one is a holistic approach that offers a range of benefits such as preventing injuries, promoting recovery, enhancing physical performance, and so on. This write-up delves into the specific benefits of the said holistic treatment for boxers and aims to answer the question: Is chiropractic medicine good for boxers? Read on.
Boxing Popularity in the Philippines
The popularity of boxing in the Philippines is immense. From icons Pancho Villa, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Luisito Espinosa, and Manny Pacquiao, to 2024 Paris Olympic boxers Nesthy Petecio, Eumir Marcial, Aira Villegas, Hergie Bacyadan, and Carlo Paalam, the list of Filipino boxers who have made a name for themselves in the world stage goes on.
According to Phil Boxing, the Philippines has produced no less than 45 world titleholders; two of which are in the Boxing Hall of Fame (Villa and Elorde). Putting the said factors into consideration, it can be said that boxing is indeed the pride of the Philippines.
However, if asked when the said sport became a, say, mainstay of Filipino culture, many would say that it was when Pacquaio was flooring Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito, et al., during the 2000s to 2010s.
He eventually took up the mantle as the Filipino fighting pride and surpassed a myriad of expectations by becoming the only eight-division world champion, a record that etched his name in the history books. With present-day boxing stalwarts such as Petecio, Marcial, Paalam, and so on, it can be said that the future of Filipino boxing is in good hands.
A Closer Look at the Boxer’s Body
The repetitive nature of boxing puts stress on the body with its punches and rapid movements. Because of these, many boxers encounter issues such as spinal misalignment, inflammation, joint dysfunction, posture problems, and muscle imbalances, among others.
Conditions that can be addressed by chiropractic treatment. This is essential due to the fact that the said ailments may hinder physical performance and, at the same time, lead to chronic pain and damage that may take their toll on the body.
Is Chiropractic Medicine Good for Boxers
Boxers can greatly benefit from regular chiropractic care. One of the best parts? It is non-invasive and does not require the use of drugs or other medications. Below are some of the benefits of the said holistic approach.
Pain Relief
Body aches are quite common among boxers, particularly those who have recently increased the frequency and/or intensity of their training. It may be caused by muscle soreness, which is the body’s natural response to strenuous physical activities. For this reason, boxers should seriously consider including chiropractor for pain relief sessions in their training regimen.
Chiropractic treatment includes manipulating the body’s alignment to relieve pain and enhance body functions to activate its natural capacity to heal itself. In line with this, to enhance its pain relieving benefit the American College of Physicians recommends the said treatment with heat therapy, acupuncture, and massage.
Improved Performance
Chiropractic care can help improve boxing and other sports, in general. This is according to a study entitled “Unlocking Athletic Potential: The Integration of Chiropractic Care into the Sports Industry and Its Impact on the Performance and Health of Athletes and Economic Growth in China and Hong Kong,” which was also published in the National Library on Medicine.
Per the said study, chiropractic treatment focuses on improving the body’s neuromusculoskeletal system and optimizing it for athletic performance. In fact, because of the benefits of the said holistic approach, a new breed of chiro care has emerged: sports chiropractic care. It is a specialized approach that congregates the principles of the said method with a clear understanding of the subjective demands placed on the bodies of boxers.
This, in turn, allows chiro doctors to facilitate overall performance enhancement together with rehabilitation and injury prevention. Here, spinal manipulation, manual therapies, and soft tissue techniques, among others, are performed to promote optimal function and, at the same time, relieve pain.
In addition to all these, sports chiropractic care, if properly integrated into an athlete’s healthcare regimen can boost biomechanics, decrease the probability of injury, and accelerate recovery, among others.
Accelerated Recovery
According to a study by the Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, the recovery as well as maintenance of an athlete’s physical health, which in this case is a boxer, are also positively influenced by chiropractic treatment. Such a benefit is achieved by addressing musculoskeletal imbalances and promoting appropriate biomechanics.
Because of this, athletes can recover from competitions as well as training sessions more effectively and efficiently. This can reduce the risk of overuse injuries and facilitate long-term health.
Enhanced Mobility
According to Boxing Science, mobility training can go a long way in boxing. This is essential since it acts as a foundational skill that allows boxers to perform exercises and boxing movements correctly. A solid mobility groundwork can lead to faster and more fluid punches since one’s full range of motion is achieved. Consequently, it can also reduce the probability of injury and increase muscle performance.
Chiropractic doctors can boost mobility by fixing spinal misalignments, improving hip health, and addressing muscle imbalances. These are achieved by performing targeted adjustments to effectively and efficiently restore joint function, improve range of motion, increase flexibility, and enhance overall movement.
The Future of Chiropractic Treatment and Boxing
Nowadays, a significant number of athletes across the globe are recognizing and embracing the benefits of chiropractic treatment. Because of this, it has become an essential component of many sports, which includes boxing. In fact, even Olympic athletes include the said holistic approach in their training regimen.
That being said, boxers who want to take their level of training as well as competition to the next level should seriously consider incorporating chiro care into their training routine. By doing so, they may reduce pain, optimize spinal function, and enhance physical performance, among others. It could be the missing piece of the puzzle that can help the said combat athletes unleash their full potential.
Visit Us at Posture Perfect
In the end, chiropractic treatment as well as boxing seem like an unlikely pair. However, it should be noted that the potential of the said holistic treatment with regard to improving boxing prowess and reducing the risk of related injuries, among others, is simply endless.
Simply put, by incorporating chiropractic care into the boxing training and recovery routines of boxers, a proactive approach to their overall health and well-being can be achieved. This ensures that they are in peak condition, especially in times of competition.
Are you a boxer or boxing enthusiast who is looking to take his or her boxing training and recovery to a whole new level? Then visit us at Posture Perfect. Our chiropractic doctors can focus on spinal alignment, injury prevention, pain management, and performance enhancement, among others.
With the right approach, you can achieve your full potential in no time.
