Stepping Up to the Plate with Chiropractic Care
Baseball season is in full swing. For some that just means spring. But for the players, coaches, and trainers, it means grinding out repetitive training, game strategy, and winning.
Winning comes down to a score, but the path to winning at the collegiate and professional levels takes more than skill and the best strategy. It comes down to the wellness of the players – fine-tuning performance, preventative care, and addressing the damage that repetitive motions take on their bodies. Repetition is undeniable for any kind of athlete, which is why the “how” becomes a top priority for trainers and wellness professionals.
Have you ever watched a pitcher’s shoulder rotate in a slow-motion playback, using their entire body to release the ball? Or maybe you’ve seen a highlight reel of a baseball player sliding into home plate. These movements, while they look smooth to the spectator, can cause all kinds of injuries all too common in baseball and among athletes all across the board. And when you see it happen once, think about how many times they are doing that throughout the season.
But before you start thinking it's all part of the game, here’s a curveball: Chiropractic care is the real MVP in baseball.
Play Ball! Common Baseball Injuries
Chiropractic care is more than adjustments. They are generally focused on relieving pain and helping patients and players move better, play better, and for longer.
Baseball is one of those sports that demands a wide range of movements. It’s all about the action, right? But with great action comes... well, not-so-great reactions from our bodies.
Here's a breakdown of the key types of movements and commonly associated baseball injuries that a chiropractor can help treat:
THROWING & CATCHING
In baseball, throwing with precision and strength is a skill, and catching requires cat-like reflexes, ready to dive, jump, or stretch to secure the ball. The throwing motion starts with a leg push as if launching off, then twists and finishes with a shoulder and arm movement. Pitchers, outfielders, infielders, catchers—all players will throw throughout the game, which is why shoulder injuries are among the most common in baseball. Regulations on college baseball players like the maximum of 110 pitches per game have a well-deserved place in player wellness.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Baseball players can experience pain, weakness, and even a limited range of motion when the tendons of the rotator cuff become irritated and inflamed from repetitive throwing motions. This often shows up as chronic shoulder pain and rotator cuff pain.
Elbow Tendonitis: Ever hear someone say “golfer's elbow”, some also call it "Pitcher’s Elbow." It’s caused by the excessive use of the forearm muscle. Get more insight on elbow injury here.
BATTING
Batting starts with the player’s stance, a moment of poised energy, before taking a stride towards the pitch. What follows is a big hip rotation, leading to the upper body and arms swinging the bat through the zone. The legs, hips, torso, arms, and wrists—all come together to hit the ball.
Lower Back Strains: The twisting motion required for batting and pitching puts significant stress on your lower back, potentially leading to strains.
Spondylolysis: The repetitive stress from batting and pitching motions can cause small fractures in the vertebrae.
Wrist Sprains: Batting and catching exert force on the wrists and hands, which can result in sprains, strains, or fractures.
RUNNING
Running the bases is the exciting part of baseball from a spectator’s view. For the player it’s a blend of sprinting, stopping, and sharp changes of direction activating the legs, hips, and torso from one base to the next.
Hamstring Strains: Quick sprints or sudden movements while running the bases or fielding can overstretch the hamstring muscles, causing strains
SLIDING
For base runners, sliding is a necessary move. If it’s done right, it’s a game changer. It‘s done wrong, it’s a fast track to injury.
Knee Injuries: Those slides and sudden direction changes can be brutal on knees and even hands and wrists if not done correctly. If you impact your knee, there’s a good chance you might end up with a torn ACL. Chiropractors can help with pain management, joint function, and strengthening of the muscles in preparation for surgery.
Learn more on how you can heal from common sports injuries here.
Chiropractic Care – The pinch hitter in Baseball Player Wellness
Chiropractors analyze the impact of every slide, swing, and catch and the ripple effect throughout the body and musculoskeletal system to provide comprehensive preventative care.
Here are three areas of treatment that a chiropractor will work with athletes and more specifically – baseball players. They will use their techniques in spinal manipulation and adjustment, mobilization, and soft-tissue therapy to support players with custom treatment plans.
Injury Rehabilitation & Pain Management
Chiropractors can alleviate pain in the spine and extremities through adjustments and manipulation, reducing the need for pain medications and often reducing the need for surgery. Chiropractors promoted a more natural healing process for athletes.
Performance – Move Better, Play Better
Chiropractic care improves athletic performance by improving range of motion, flexibility, and overall joint function. In the game of inches – it’s all about mobility and flexibility that separates the good from the great. We tweak and adjust, ensuring your body moves freely and your risk of on-field mishaps drops. Minor changes, major impact.
Covering all Bases with Preventative Care
Preventing baseball injuries with chiropractic care is the smart play. Starting the season with a tune-up and continuing with regular chiropractic visits can spot potential injuries and weaknesses. Plus, chiropractors will often recommend custom strength training tips for targeted muscles that make players more resilient.
Sometimes, staying in play means playing it smart with a little help from your friendly neighborhood chiropractor. Schedule a consultation at one of the best chiropractor’s offices for the “win” this season.