Wrestling Chiropractor

A wrestling chiropractor understands what a season on the mat does to your body. Hours of drilling, bridging, sprawling, and fighting off the bottom take a toll on the neck, shoulders, ribs, and lower back. Oklahoma has one of the strongest wrestling traditions in the country, and at Hanson Chiropractic Center, we see a lot of wrestlers, from youth club kids to high school varsity and beyond.

Experience with wrestlers at the national level

Hanson Chiropractic Center has served as a chiropractic partner to USA Judo, USA Wrestling, and USA Weightlifting, and Dr. Ryan Hanson has cared for the U.S. sitting volleyball national team since 2011. We bring what we've learned working with elite athletes to every wrestler we see, whatever their level. Read more about our chiropractors on our team page.

Common wrestling aches and injuries

Neck. Bridging, getting cranked, and fighting for head position all strain the neck. Many wrestlers live with a stiff, sore neck most of the season.

Shoulders. Underhooks, whizzers, and getting your arm tied up put the shoulder in awkward positions over and over. Strains and nagging pain are common.

Ribs and upper back. Getting squeezed in a body lock or landing hard can leave the ribs and the muscles between them sore, especially when you breathe deep or twist.

Lower back. Lifting and returning opponents to the mat, plus hours in a bent stance, loads the lower back. See our lower back pain page for more.

Knees. Shooting, sprawling, and grinding on the mat stress the knees. Read about knee and hip pain.

How a wrestling chiropractor helps

We start by finding out what hurts, when it started, and what positions make it worse. Then we check how your neck, shoulders, back, and hips move and where you've lost range or strength.

Care usually includes adjustments to get stiff joints moving again, hands-on work for tight muscles, and exercises to build neck and shoulder strength, which protects you from the next scramble. We'll plan around your practice and tournament schedule, and we're glad to work with your coach or athletic trainer.

Seeing a wrestling chiropractor during the season also helps you catch small problems early. A neck that's a little stiffer each week or a shoulder that aches after every practice is easier to fix in October than at the state tournament.

Staying healthy through the season

Strengthen your neck year-round, not just in season. Warm up fully before practice and matches, and keep your shoulders strong with simple band work. Get enough sleep and water, especially during tournament weekends. If you're working to make weight, do it with a plan from your coach and doctor, not by skipping water or meals. A drained, dehydrated wrestler gets hurt more easily.

Keep your skin and gear clean, too. Shower right after practice, and get any rash or sore looked at by a doctor before you go back on the mat.

When to stop and see a doctor

Any wrestler with a possible concussion should stop and be seen by a health care provider. Watch for headache, dizziness, confusion, or trouble with balance after taking a hit. The CDC has more on concussions. After a neck injury with numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs, don't move the wrestler and call 911. A shoulder or elbow that looks out of place needs urgent care.

Questions to ask a wrestling chiropractor

Can a chiropractor help with a stiff neck from wrestling?

Yes, and it's one of the most common things wrestlers come in for. We ease the stiffness, loosen tight muscles, and give you neck strengthening work that helps protect you on the mat. Results vary from person to person.

Can I keep wrestling while I get care?

Often, yes. Many wrestlers keep practicing with a few changes while we work on the problem. If an injury needs rest, we'll tell you and help you plan your return.

Do you see youth wrestlers?

Yes. We see kids in youth clubs all the way up through high school and college. A parent or guardian signs the paperwork for anyone under 18.

Should my wrestler come in before the season?

It's a good idea, especially after a past injury. A preseason check can spot a weak shoulder or stiff neck before the first tournament.

Can you work with my coach?

Yes. With your permission, we'll share what we find and work with your coach or athletic trainer on getting you back safely.

How often should a wrestler come in during the season?

It depends on what's going on. Some wrestlers come in for a few visits to get past a flare-up. Others like a regular check during the season and before big tournaments. We'll make a plan that fits your schedule, and there's no long-term contract.

This page is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor. Results vary from person to person. See our sports chiropractor page for other sports.