Exercise is one of the best things you can do for your health but along with the positive effects exercise has on the body it can also lead to pain. Low back pain is one of the most common sources of pain in athletes. Whether your sport is football, wrestling, golf, running, or one of the other thousands of sports that are popular today, you could be one of the approximately 40% of athletes that experience back pain. This pain can result in significant time missed from sports and even disability if not treated effectively. With all of treatment options available, you may wonder which will allow you to return to play as quickly and as safely as possible.
A recent study suggests that chiropractic is the best option for athletes with back pain.
The study compared 20 popular treatments including several different medications, chiropractic spinal manipulation treatment, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, laser treatments, ultrasound, and cold/heat therapy.
Out of all of those treatments, chiropractic adjustments and heat therapy produced the most significant benefits with few to no side effects.
Read the full study at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445234/
Reference: Petering R and Webb C. Treatment options for low back pain in athletes. Sports Health. 2011 November; 3(6): 550–555.