Sports Chiropractor

A sports chiropractor helps you get back to the game you love, whether that's Friday night football, a wrestling tournament, a weekend volleyball league, or your morning lift. At Hanson Chiropractic Center, we work with athletes of every age and level, from middle schoolers to adults who still play hard on weekends. We also bring real experience caring for athletes at the national level.

Experience at the highest 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. That work has taught us how athletes train, how they get hurt, and what it takes to get them back to competing safely. We bring that same care to every athlete who walks in our door. You can read more about our chiropractors on our team page.

What a sports chiropractor does

Sports put the same joints and muscles under heavy, repeated stress. We help with the strains, stiffness, and nagging aches that come with that, and we look at how your whole body moves so one sore spot doesn't keep coming back. Most care includes adjustments to get stiff joints moving, hands-on work and massage for tight muscles, and mobility and strength exercises built around your sport. For stubborn injuries, we also offer decompression, laser, and shockwave therapy.

We're happy to work alongside your athletic trainer, coach, or team doctor, and we'll help you plan a safe return to practice.

Sports we see every week

Football. High school football is a big deal around here, and it's hard on bodies. We see sore necks and shoulders from tackling, lower back strain from blocking, and hip and knee aches from cutting and sprinting.

Wrestling. Neck, shoulder, rib, and back strain from hours on the mat. Wrestling has its own page. Read about our wrestling chiropractor care.

Volleyball. Shoulder pain from serving and hitting, knee and ankle strain from jumping, and lower back aches from digging. We also work with seated and adaptive athletes, whose shoulders and upper backs carry much of the load.

Weightlifting and CrossFit. Lower back, hip, knee, and shoulder strain, often from fatigue, a heavy jump in weight, or a small form issue that adds up. We'll help you move better under the bar.

Judo and martial arts. Throws and falls load the neck, shoulders, and back. We help with the strains and stiffness that come with training.

Golf. Back, elbow, and shoulder pain from the swing. See our golf chiropractor page.

Running, pickleball, and weekend sports. Knee, hip, heel, and elbow pain from doing a lot of one thing. Our pages on knee and hip pain and plantar fasciitis go deeper.

Staying in the game

Warm up before practice with a few minutes of easy movement, not static stretching alone. Build strength in the off-season, because strong muscles protect joints. Sleep and water matter more than most athletes think. And don't ignore pain that keeps coming back in the same spot. Getting it checked early usually means less time on the sidelines.

When to stop playing and see a doctor

Any athlete with a possible concussion should stop playing and be seen by a health care provider. Watch for headache, dizziness, confusion, trouble with balance, or changes in behavior after 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 athlete and call 911. A joint that looks out of place, or a limb that can't hold weight, needs urgent care.

Questions to ask a sports chiropractor

What's the difference between a sports chiropractor and a regular chiropractor?

A sports chiropractor focuses on the injuries and movement problems that come with training and competing. We look at how your sport loads your body, and we build care and exercises around getting you back to it.

Can you work with my athletic trainer or coach?

Yes. With your permission, we're glad to share what we find and work with your trainer, coach, or team doctor on a return-to-play plan.

Do you see high school athletes?

All the time. We see middle school, high school, and college athletes, along with adults who still compete. A parent or guardian needs to sign the paperwork for athletes under 18.

How soon can I get back to practice?

It depends on the injury. Some athletes keep practicing with a few changes. Others need a short break. We'll give you a straight answer after your exam and help you return at the right pace.

Should I see you before the season starts?

It's a good idea, especially if you've had an injury before. A preseason check can catch a stiff hip or tight shoulder before it turns into a problem.

This page is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor. Results vary from person to person. See everything else we help with on our Conditions We Treat page.