Dr. Jack Zangara - Chiropractic Care for Baseball Players

Baseball is one of the most enjoyable and exciting sports out there. However, baseball can still put significant physical demands on a player’s body. Repetitive and explosive actions such as throwing a ball and swinging a bat can eventually wear down the body over time. Baseball players usually have long games and intense schedules, which only increases their chances of developing injuries. Injuries can get worse if players ignore symptoms of their pain and discomfort. It is also very common for baseball injuries to end a player’s career entirely.

For baseball players, one potential option for dealing with injuries includes visiting a chiropractor. As a successful alternative to pain medication, chiropractic care can treat a wide range of different baseball injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries that baseball players can experience, and how a chiropractor can help.

Common Baseball Injuries:

Ankle sprains: A baseball player will usually develop Ankle sprains after sliding into a base awkwardly. The symptoms of an ankle sprain include swelling, bruises, and tenderness. Until the player stops putting weight on the ankle and allows it to rest, the injury will continue to get worse. Chiropractors can help with ankle sprains by physically realigning the bones between the foot and ankle.

Tendonitis: Tendonitis is one of the most common baseball injuries and is especially prevalent in pitchers. Tendonitis develops when extreme overuse of a muscle causes inflammation in the tendon. Symptoms include swelling, redness, radiating warmth, and pain that intensifies with movement. Chiropractors can use different techniques to help reduce inflammation, and they can provide other treatment options that will help a player recover.

Rotator cuff injuries: Rotator cuff injuries are extremely common among pitchers. Besides causing pain and discomfort, these injuries can also drastically weaken a player’s arm. There are several treatments that your chiropractor can use to heal the injury and increase the arm’s range of motion. A chiropractor’s different techniques can also build up muscle endurance which will prevent future rotator cuff injuries from occurring.
Herniated Discs: In our backs, we have discs that our body uses as shock absorbers to protect the spine. Herniated discs occur when a disc ruptures or protrudes from its correct position. This condition usually occurs from the wear and tear that comes with constantly throwing a baseball and swinging a bat. Chiropractors can use a procedure called spinal manipulation to make adjustments and alleviate any symptoms of pain.

Overall, chiropractic care can treat a wide range of different baseball injuries. Chiropractors can provide pain management while helping players regain their mobility and strength. They will also provide techniques to build up muscle endurance and prevent injuries from reoccurring in the future.