Athletic trainers reported 15,531 sports injuries. Football, girls’ soccer, and boys’ wrestling were the top when it comes to injury rates. 36.8% of these injuries were sprains or strains, with the most common spots being the ankle at 17.6% and the knee at 14.1%.
If you’re like me, you can’t stand being sidelined. Years ago, I injured my lower back during a heavy lift—an injury that nearly ended my collegiate rugby career. I know how frustrating it is to be stuck in recovery mode, just wanting to get back to the sport you love.
That’s why so many elite athletes and trainers from the NFL, NBA, and the Olympics added sports chiropractic to their programs. And you don’t have to be a pro to access that same level of care.
Your Wheat Ridge sports chiropractor specializes in helping athletes recover faster and avoid reinjury with the same world-class treatments, at a fraction of the cost.
What Is a Sports Injury?
A sports injury is any musculoskeletal condition caused by physical activity, whether it’s a sudden trauma or the result of repetitive stress. These injuries affect the body’s muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints, and can range from mild strains to more serious tears or fractures.
There are two main types of sports injuries:
- Acute injuries happen suddenly, like a sprained ankle, a torn ligament, or a dislocated shoulder. These often occur from a fall, collision, or an awkward movement.
- Chronic injuries develop over time due to repeated stress on the same area—common examples include shin splints, tendonitis, and stress fractures.
Sports injuries often happen because of things like bad form, muscle groups that are out of sync, tight or stiff joints, quick bursts of movement, or hard contact during games or practice.
The ankles, knees, shoulders, lower back, and hamstrings are among the most frequently injured areas. These involve critical structures like the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the knee, rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder, and lumbar spine discs in the lower back.
Common Sports Injuries We Treat in Denver CO,
At our Wheat Ridge clinic, we treat a wide range of common sports injuries. Below are some of the conditions we see most often, each with its recovery challenges and solutions.
Muscle Strains
A strain is an injury to a muscle or the tendon that attaches to the bone. It typically occurs when the muscle is overstretched or forced to contract too forcefully, which is common during sprints, jumps, or heavy lifts. Symptoms can include sharp pain, swelling, or limited strength and range of motion.
Ligament Sprains
Ligaments connect bone to bone and help stabilize joints. A sprain happens when a ligament is stretched or torn, often from a twist, fall, or direct impact. Ankle and knee sprains are especially common in field and court sports.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon, usually from overuse or repetitive motion. It often affects the shoulder (supraspinatus), elbow (extensor tendons), or knee (patellar tendon), and can cause dull aching pain, especially during or after activity.
Rotator Cuff Injuries
The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Injuries may involve inflammation (tendinopathy), partial tears, or full-thickness tears, usually from repetitive overhead movement, trauma, or poor shoulder mechanics.
Shin Splints
Shin splints refer to pain along the inner edge of the tibia (shin bone), typically caused by repetitive loading such as running or jumping. It involves irritation of the muscles and connective tissue along the bone, and if left untreated, can progress to stress reactions or fractures.
IT Band Syndrome
The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick band of connective tissue that runs from the hip to the outside of the knee. Repetitive friction where it passes over the lateral femoral condyle can cause inflammation and sharp, localized knee pain, often seen in runners and cyclists.
How We Treat Sports Injuries at The Disc Chiropractic
Our approach is backed by clinically proven methods and trusted by athletes at every level, from weekend warriors to competitive pros.Here’s how we help you recover faster and get back in the game:
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Some sports injuries start in the spine, not the shoulder, hip, or leg. Herniated or bulging discs can compress nerves, leading to symptoms like sharp pain, numbness, or weakness down the arm or leg. That’s where spinal decompression comes in.
We use the Triton DTS, a clinically proven table designed to gently relieve pressure on spinal discs. As the vertebrae separate, negative pressure allows the disc to retract and take pressure off the nerve, calming pain and promoting healing from the inside out.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Trusted by elite athletes worldwide, chiropractic adjustments restore proper motion and alignment in the joints especially the spine, pelvis, and extremities. If your hips are misaligned, your knees don’t track right. If your spine’s restricted, your shoulder mechanics suffer.
These small breakdowns lead to big problems under stress.
Using hands-on or instrument-assisted techniques, we deliver precise corrections to restore normal biomechanics so you move better, feel stronger, and recover faster.
Shockwave Therapy
For chronic or stubborn injuries that just won’t heal, Shockwave Therapy is a game-changer. We use the Intelect RPW 2 to send acoustic pulses deep into the tissue, where it breaks up scar tissue, boosts blood flow, and restarts the body’s natural healing process.
Clinically proven and trusted by sports medicine specialists, it’s especially effective for tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and IT band syndrome—injuries that have been around a while and need a stronger solution.
Soft Tissue Therapy
Most sports injuries involve tight, overworked, or damaged muscles. That’s why we combine manual release techniques with tools like the Rapid Release Pro to break up adhesions, improve circulation, and relieve deep muscle tension.
This treatment is clinically proven to be effective for conditions like hamstring pulls, quad strains, calf tightness and more.
Therapeutic Exercise & Rehab
Once the pain is under control, we build your body back better. Our rehab plans are built around exercises that reinforce strength, mobility, and coordination based on the specific demands of your sport.
From glute activation drills for runners to scapular control for overhead athletes, we focus on what matters most to your recovery. These movements are designed to prevent re-injury and keep you in top form, on and off the field.
FAQs About Sports Chiropractic
What Are the Most Common Types of Sports Injuries?
Chiropractors commonly treat muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendonitis, joint dysfunctions, shin splints, and overuse injuries. These conditions often affect the back, shoulders, knees, and ankles, especially in active individuals.
What’s the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain?
A sprain involves overstretching or tearing a ligament (the tissue connecting bones), while a strain affects muscles or tendons. Both are common in sports and respond well to chiropractic care and rehab.
How Does Chiropractic Care Support Athletic Performance?
Chiropractic care optimizes joint function, improves flexibility, and enhances nervous system communication. That’s why top athletes and trainers include it in their performance and recovery routines.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe for Young Athletes?
Absolutely. Chiropractic adjustments for youth athletes are safe, gentle, and customized to their growing bodies. It helps reduce injury risk and promotes balanced musculoskeletal development.
Can Chiropractic Care Prevent Future Injuries?
Yes. By correcting imbalances, improving posture, and teaching proper movement patterns, chiropractic care helps reduce the risk of re-injury and supports long-term athletic health.
Do I Need a Referral to See a Sports Chiropractor?
No referral is needed. If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, or limited mobility from a sports injury, you can book a consultation directly with your local sports chiropractor.
Get Back in the Game Stronger
Are you still dealing with pain, stiffness, or a lingering sports injury? It’s time to stop guessing and start healing. Your first visit is only $97 and includes a full consultation, spinal exam, and my detailed report of findings.
Book an Appointment Now or Call: 720-573-4910