Chiropractic care is the key to optimum perfomance

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and fitness pioneer Jack Lalanne are huge advocates for chiropractic care. Actually, Aaron Rodgers' father is a chiropractor in Chico, California and Jack Lalanne was a Doctor of Chiropractic himself.

Aaron Rodgers is not the only NFL player or athlete who believes in the benefit of chiropractic care. New Orleans Saints 2006 first round pick, Reggie Bush, has been receiving regular chiropractic care since playing football in high school and his collegiate years. "I look at Chiropractic care as important to keeping me healthy and at the top of my game." 2010 Hall Of Fame inductee Jerry Rice, who is a spokesperson for the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public of the many benefits associated with chiropractic care. "I did a lot of things to stay in the game, but regular visits to my chiropractor made all of the difference", Jerry Rice says. Some of the elite athletes, Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, Emmitt Smith, Tom Brady, and Michael Jordan just to name a few, have all benefited from chiropractic care to help them to stay on top of their game. All 32 teams in the NFL have either one or several chiropractors on staff. The need for chiropractic care in the NFL has been driven by the players' desire for optimum performance, and not just for treating injuries.

The good news is that you don't have to be a professional athlete to receive chiropractic care, but you do have to want to make an investment in your health and want to create a healthier lifestyle. It doesn't matter if you have extreme pain or no pain at all, chiropractic allows you to live life to the fullest.

Dr. David P. Chen
Chiropractor in Laurel, MD 20708

Chronic Whiplash Pain Caused by Spinal Facet Injury

In an article published in late 2007 in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons revealed that a significant number of people suffering acute neck pain following a motor vehicle collision develop chronic pain that last for years. The most common source of the chronic pain is damage to the spinal facet joints, followed by disc pain. The authors reviewed the medical literature and published data concerning chronic whiplash pain. The review reveals that 15% to 40% of patients with acute neck pain following a motor vehicle collision develop chronic pain, and that 5% to 7% become permanently partially or totally disabled. The most common source of chronic whiplash neck pain: the facet joint (49% to 54%).

In the treatment of chronic neck pain, exercise is recommended as helpful to strengthening the weak muscle groups but exercise alone is rarely curative. Many studies have shown that spinal manipulation is one of the most effective treatments for whiplash injury. Early manipulation to the cervical spine will restore motion, decrease pain, and increase the speed of recovery. The early manipulation will also decrease the buildup of scar tissue and future chronic pain syndromes.

As you may know, Tiger Woods announced on his blog on Wednesday that an MRI determined he has inflammation in the facet joint of his neck which causes pain in the area along with headaches and difficulty rotating the head. Even though he denied that his neck injury is related to the Nov. 27 car accident, but it is possible that Tiger may not have been aware of the damage immediately. As the damage sometimes doesn't manifest itself until a physical activity that puts strain on the neck - things like lifting boxes or hitting golf balls in Tiger’s case.

Reference: Schofferman J, Bogduk N, and Slosar P. Chronic whiplash and whiplash-associated disorders: An evidence-based approach. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007 Oct;15(10):596-606.

Dr. David Chen
Chiropractor in Laurel, MD
Laurel Regional Chiropractic
www.laurelregionalchiropractic.com

Athletes Enhance Physical Performance With Chiropractic Care

What do Barry Bonds, Tiger Woods, Andy Roddick, and Lance Armstrong have in common? They are incredibly accomplished athletes that have used chiropractic care as a key ingredient to their success.

The fact is that more professional athletes are under chiropractic care than ever before. Even more revealing is the increased use of regular chiropractic care for the entire professional teams. In fact, Chiropractic Economics reported that over 95% of teams in the NFL use chiropractors as a regular part of player care.

Some professional athletes pay personal chiropractors to give treatment before, during, or after a game. Barry Bonds, one of the best all time baseball players, has a personal chiropractor who travels to games. Barry Bonds has incorporated chiropractic into his lifestyle. He reportedly said, “I think it should be mandatory to see a chiropractor and massage therapist.”

Professional athletes get three main benefits with chiropractic care: to prevent injury, manage injury, and to enhance physical performance.

A research study conducted by Drs. Anthony Lauro and Brian Mouch, published in the Journal of Chiropractic research and Clinical Investigation in 1991, indicated chiropractic care might improve athletic performance by as much as 16.7% over a two week period. The report also concluded that subluxation-free athletes react faster, coordinate better, execute fine movements with improved accuracy and precision, amounting to an overall better athlete. Another study in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research in 1997 revealed that chiropractic care increases an athlete’s capillary count. This means increased blood flow and more oxygen to the body.

It is strongly recommended that both professional and amateur athletes look into chiropractic and to see how it can help them perform to their potential.

Dr. David P. Chen
Chiropractor at Laurel Regional Chiropractic
Laurel, Maryland