The Lions Tour 2017 is in full swing and the game at Rotorua Stadium featuring the Maori All Blacks vs. the British & Irish Lions was charged, starting with a spine-tingling Haka. The game was also a reminder how injury is a very real possibility and an accepted risk when playing rugby. With kids starting to tackle from age seven upwards, how can you best ensure they maintain a healthy spine and enjoy the game for longer? Take a look at our 5 hard hitting reasons why chiropractic care is a great match for rugby players at any age.
1. Chiropractic is not the same as Physiotherapy
Chiropractic works to restore the body’s ability to heal and maintain itself with a healthy nerve system. We have a holistic approach to the body and believe that a body free of nerve system dysfunction will function better. We focus on the root cause of pain and stimulating full body wellness as opposed to simply relieving pain.
2. The tackle is a terror for the spine
As the most common contact event, the tackle has a lot to answer for. Responsible for the highest number of injuries and greatest loss of time in action through injury. The average force through the shoulder during a tackle is 166 kilograms and stress is passed through the body to the neck, upper back, arms, lower back, hips, knees and ankles. There is even research that suggest players can face strain equivalent to the force of two cars colliding. Injuries caused by a tackle are classified as ‘trauma’ and are often unavoidable even in training. Chiropractic relieves the spinal dysfunction a tackle causes, therefore improving the muscular function (needed for strength, flexibility and endurance) and improves balance, spatial awareness, agility… the list goes on. All enhancing your overall performance.
3. Injuries don’t just occur with contact
What starts as an annoying discomfort becomes increasing pain. With any physical activity injuries can occur with overuse. Overuse injuries build up over time and are the result of negative effects of a mildly traumatic action or impact. Shin splints are a good example of this, occurring from regular training and practice.
Chiropractic allows the central nerve system to aid in efficient injury recovery, and reduces the risk of further injury from overuse.
4. Keep enjoying the game
Studies have shown that for every 1000 hours* of International sport there are the following injuries:
Rugby = 58 injuries
Football = 17 injuries
Cricket = 3 injuries
The intensity of Rugby means there is a significant likelihood of injury in comparison to other popular sport. This is why more and more rugby teams use chiropractic as part of their support team, to keep their players in the game.
5. It’s drug free
Chiropractic can relieve pain and help your body heal and stay on top form without prescribing medication or the need for surgery. Professional sports players turn to chiropractic for this reason and many have discovered the benefits of chiropractic care as part of their training and wellness regime.
Due to the incredibly violent impacts that a rugby player’s spine is exposed to, it is important that players are regularly checked for spinal dysfunction, especially kids with growing and developing spines. Research shows that improved nerve system changes can take place after only a single session of chiropractic care, even in people who appear to be healthy and not in pain at the time. So what are you waiting for?
* Studies at the University of Bath, UK