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Any CrossFitter that's been in a box for a while knows how the methodology combines high-rep or high-load weightlifting and gymnastics with cardiovascular training to push the limits of the human body. The nature of doing functional movements at high intensity dictates that any imbalances or discrepancies will be exposed in one movement or another. This is where chiropractic care comes into play. Chiropractic can be highly beneficial for CrossFit athletes in several ways. In this article, we discuss how chiropractic care can help CrossFit athletes recover from injuries, prevent future injuries, and enhance performance.
With the odd exception, most of the time CrossFit athletes experience minor sprains, strains or joint pain that is a reaggravation of a previous injury, or occurs as a minor injury during a workout and then becomes a lingering issue that comes and goes depending on the movements completed on the day. These niggles lead to compensation or bad movement patterns, which can easily become an athlete's rate-limiting factor. Chiropractic care is highly effective at changing pain pathways, particularly with chronic injuries, allowing for better movement patterns which in time create resilience through good movement. Chiropractors use various techniques, including spinal and extremity adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitation exercises to help athletes recover from injuries quickly and safely. By addressing the root cause of the injury, chiropractors can provide long-term relief and prevent the injury from recurring.
In addition to helping athletes recover from injuries, chiropractic care can also prevent future injuries. By correcting mobility and activation imbalances in the body, the athlete can move better, particularly under fatigue when poor patterns are exposed. For example, a discrepancy in midline or glute activation leads to a hip shift with squatting or lower-body pulling, creating pelvic torsion which can then lead to lower back or hip pain. By adjusting the spine and pelvis and adding the right muscle work, this can be prevented.
Regular chiropractic adjustments also improve posture — the ability to sit or stand upright without conscious effort. Improved posture allows for improved parasympathetic (rest and digest) activity, leading to faster and more efficient recovery between workouts.
Looking at movements with a prominent core-to-extremity pattern, like the Olympic lifts or kipping gymnastics movements, efficient biomechanics dictate the athlete's ability to perform them at high rep counts or heavy loads. Using a chiropractor to work on poor muscle activation patterns and discrepancies in range of motion, consciously changing movement patterns, and adding specific accessory work to back those patterns up will see an improvement in athletic performance because of the improved efficiency in biomechanics. The chiropractic ground-up approach, breaking issues down joint by joint, allows for more accurate movement cueing and exercise prescription when that professional understands CrossFit.
Chiropractic care can be highly beneficial for CrossFit athletes. It can help athletes recover from injuries, prevent future injuries, and enhance performance. If you enjoy CrossFit and have a few niggles holding you back, consider incorporating chiropractic care into your training and recovery. If you'd like to get in touch about how chiro can help you achieve your fitness goals and stay injury-free, visit www.wilderliving.com.au or email info@wilderliving.com.au. With the right chiropractic care, you can take your CrossFit training to the next level.
Not training with us yet? Learn how our coaches keep technique safe from day one — book your free fitness consultation at TandEm CrossFit in Balcatta.
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