CHIROPRACTIC AND CROSSFIT

Any CrossFitter that’s been in a box fora while knows how the methodology combines high rep or high load weightlifting,gymnastics along with cardiovascular training to push the limits of the humanbody. The nature of doing functional movements at high intensity dictates thatany imbalances or discrepancies will be exposed in one movement or another.This is where chiropractic care comes into play. Chiropractic can be highlybeneficial for CrossFit athletes in several ways. In this article, we willdiscuss how chiropractic care can help CrossFit athletes recover from injuries,prevent future injuries, and enhance performance.

Recovery from Injuries
With the odd exception, most of the time CrossFit athletes experience minorsprains, strains or joint pain that is a reaggravation of a previous injury oroccurs as a minor injury during a workout and then becomes a lingering issuethat comes and goes predicated by the movements completed on the day. Theseniggles lead to compensation, or bad movement patterns which can then easilybecome an athlete’s rate limiting factor. Chiropractic care is highly effectiveat changing pain pathways, particularly with chronic injuries, allowing forbetter movement patterns which in time then create resilience through goodmovement. Chiropractors use various techniques, including spinal and extremity adjustments,soft tissue therapy, and rehabilitation exercises to help athletes recover frominjuries quickly and safely. By addressing the root cause of the injury,chiropractors can provide long-term relief and prevent the injury fromrecurring.

Prevention of Injuries
In addition to helping athletes recover from injuries, chiropractic care canalso prevent future injuries. By correcting mobility and activation imbalancesin the body, the athlete can move better particularly under fatigue when poorpatterns are exposed. For example, a discrepancy in midline or glute activationleads to a hip shift with squatting or lower body pulling, creating pelvictorsion which can then lead to lower back or hip pain. By adjusting the spine,pelvis and adding the right muscle work, this can be prevented.
Regular chiropractic adjustments also improve posture- the ability to sit orstand upright without conscious effort. Improved posture allows for improvedparasympathetic (rest and digest) activity, leading to faster and moreefficient recovery in between workouts.

Enhancement of Performance
When looking at all movements that have a prominent core to extremity movementpattern like the Olympic lifts or kipping gymnastic movements, efficientbiomechanics throughout the movement dictate the ability for the athlete to dothem at a high rep count or at a heavy load. Using a chiropractor to work onpoor muscle activation patterns, discrepancies in range of motion, consciouslychanging movement patterns and adding in specific accessory work to back thosepatterns up will see an improvement in athletic performance because of theimproved efficiency in biomechanics. The chiropractic ground up approach andbreaking issues down joint by joint allows for more accurate movement cuing andexercise prescription when that professional understands CrossFit.  

Conclusion
Chiropractic care can be highly beneficial for CrossFit athletes. It can helpathletes recover from injuries, prevent future injuries, and enhanceperformance. If you enjoy CrossFit and have a few niggles holding you back,consider incorporating chiropractic care into your training and recovery. Ifyou’d like to get in touch about how chiro can help you achieve your fitnessgoals and stay injury-free, visit our website www.wilderliving.com.au or emailus at info@wilderliving.com.au. With the right chiropractic care, you can takeyour CrossFit training to the next level and achieve optimal health andwellness.