As a runner, you know just how resilient your body can be—no matter the weather or the distance. However, you’ve probably also dealt with the consequences of pushing yourself a bit too far. If you’re tired of halting your regimen to ice your injuries, you may benefit from chiropractic adjustments. Here are just some of the ways this treatment can help athletes like you.

3 Ways Runners Can Benefit From Chiropractic Adjustments

1. Relieve Muscle Tension

When you run, the temporary contraction of your muscles results in lingering muscle tension, which can tug on your bones, pulling your spine out of alignment. A misaligned spine will then increase muscle tension by straining certain tissues more than others. Luckily, a chiropractic adjustment will realign your vertebrae, allowing your muscles to return to their regular lengths and relax. 

2. Reduce Joint Pain

Since a misaligned spine tightens the muscles, it also pulls on the joints. This can aggravate pain in your knees, hips, and ankles after a long or intense run. During an adjustment, your chiropractor will use calculated movements to set your joints back in place, so that the bones they connect don’t suffer from excess friction. This could help alleviate the pain that flares up in your legs or lower back after a run.

3. Facilitate Natural Healing

Chiropractic treatment is also recommended for runners because it helps speed up the body’s natural healing process. Rubbing the muscles and adjusting the bones stimulates circulation, sending oxygen-rich blood cells to the affected area. In addition to facilitating the healing of current injuries, adjustments may reduce the risk of further injury. A runner with an aligned spine is less likely to suffer sprains, tears, or trips and falls.

If you’d like to embark on your next run with enhanced musculoskeletal health, head to Team Health Chiropractic of St. Louis, MO. They cater to a wide range of clients, whether you’re an active athlete or have recently been hurt in an auto accident. With the help of their X-rays, electrode stimulation therapy, and chiropractic adjustments, you can get back to the activities you need or love to do. To learn more about their services, visit the website, or call (314) 567-9990 to schedule a free consultation.