CrossFit athletes often face injuries in the shoulders, wrists, knees, and lower back due to the intensity and variety of workouts. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help prevent these injuries, speed up recovery, and improve biomechanics, mobility, and performance. By focusing on proper alignment, injury prevention, and personalized care, chiropractic treatment allows athletes to train harder, recover faster, and reach their peak potential safely.
About Crossfit
CrossFit, known for its high-intensity workouts and variable training, has been significantly popular in the United States and especially in New York City. From amateurs to semi-professionals training alongside competitive athletes, people enjoy CrossFit workouts for their overall well-being and commit to participate in competitions like the CrossFit Games. CrossFit combines mobility training, weightlifting, gymnastics, and cardio and is a fun way to stay in shape or strength train .
High intensity workouts can lead to musculoskeletal injury as our bodies react to overuse or improper form during exercise. During high-intensity training sessions , like Crossfit, the musculoskeletal system undergoes stress and tension which can lead to soft tissue damage. Common CrossFit injuries affect knees, lower back, wrists and shoulders, and recovering from them may seem painful and even temporarily remove you from working out. Preventive chiropractic care in NYC can help you avoid injuries and improve functional movement. You can not only protect yourself from muscle imbalances but also improve performance and get faster recovery as a result . Let’s have a closer look at how CrossFit and chiropractic care go hand-in-hand when trying to improve body function and movement.
Risks of Injuries During The Crossfit Training
The most common injuries in CrossFit affect wrists, shoulders, lower back and knees. These parts of the body take most of the workout load so avoiding injuring and maintaining these areas is crucial . Let’s break it down to see why this happens and how chiropractors can help you reduce pain and restore function to get the most out of your body.
- Shoulder injuries are the leading injuries for most CrossFit athletes. Rotator cuff is the most common body part that gets injured during active training. According to the 4-year analysis performed in 2018, shoulders remain the most common site of injuries. Typical shoulder injuries with CrossFit athletes involve subacromial and posterior internal impingement, said Dr. Trevor Vander Doelen in his interview for FIT Institute. Chiropractors specialize in extremity adjustments and exercises to promote proper recovery and restore functional movement to the shoulders post or pre-workout.
- Wrists bear the brunt of exercise. They receive loads of stress from different angles during pushing and pulling exercises which, after prolonged periods of repetitive motion, could cause tissue and joint damage . Handstands are a common exercise in CrossFit that could directly impact the wrists and cause injury . Using wrist wraps reduces the pressure however do not suffice to stabilize the wrist during exercise. Mobilization and adjustment of the wrists by a chiropractor can improve these issues and prevent injury to these regions.
- Knees remain vulnerable to injuries due to high load. High-intensity interval training, heavy squats, or box jumps can cause patellofemoral pain or knee pain. This pain can show up because of the muscle imbalances and tension brought on by repeated stress in the knees . It starts with the localized pain and eventually may progress into sharp pain or even tears in the tissue. High velocity low amplitude adjustments to the knee can be utilized by a chiropractor to decrease tension and help with meniscal tears or clicking in the knee.
- Lower back pain. High-intensity exercises, especially squats and deadlifts, common in CrossFit, lead to overuse injuries. Improper technique or lack of preparation before doing exercises may cause lower back pain. The best way to avoid negative scenarios is to do warm-up exercises and stretching however low back injury is still likely to occur . Chiropractors treat low back and disc injuries by decompressing the spine and relieving muscle spasms that occur as a result of high intensity training.
Chiropractic care focuses on improving musculoskeletal health and improving biomechanics. A complex approach affects different muscle groups, eliminating the cause of pain. Regular preventive care for CrossFit athletes brings proper movement and a pain-free life and allows them to operate at peak performance.
The Importance of Proper Alignment and Recovery in CrossFit
Recovery is one of the most significant ways to get the most out of high-intensity training. After CrossFit sessions, taking time to stretch, relax and decompress directly affects the athletic performance and overall well-being. When you perform high-intensity CrossFit training, the body faces significant stress. The muscles can undergo spasm, fraying and tears that if left untreated can increase inflammation and lead to tissue damage.. A proper recovery boosts muscle growth and restores function . Lacking in recovery could increase the odds of injury and lead to a decrease in overall well-being and functional movement. Proper body and spinal alignment during and after exercise has a direct effect on body development and incidence of injury or pain. Making sure your body and spine are properly aligned can enhance and facilitate the recovery you need to get the most out of your training.
Benefits of Regular Chiropractic Adjustments for CrossFit Athletes
Chiropractic care can have a direct influence on improving biomechanics and form. Exercising with proper form can increase the amount of exertion you are able to achieve and decrease the likelihood of injury. Integrating chiropractic care with regular adjustments as a part of your CrossFit regimen can give you a solid advantage. Enhanced mobility and flexibility also become beneficial for those who implement regular chiropractic adjustments in their routine. Regular CrossFit training requires high mobility and flexibility, whether you do bodyweight exercises or perform weightlifting. A limited range of motion and body stiffness can cause injuries. Regular chiropractic care helps restore proper movement and bring back joint mobility. Chiropractors work precisely and effectively while using a personalized approach to make sure your body is functioning at it’s full potential.
Early detection and injury prevention is also important for the overall health of athletes. Regular check-ups with chiropractors may highlight the problems before they get serious. With regular visits to Prestige Health and Wellness, our team of chiropractors, physical therapists and occupational therapists can pinpoint what your issues are and treat them effectively and efficiently . Regular chiropractic adjustments promote faster recovery times and increased range of motion . The fatigue fades away as your body heals quicker, and you regain strength to commit to the next workout. Faster recovery leads directly to performance improvement. By incorporating chiropractic adjustments, you can improve your training and minimize the risk of an injury.
| Benefit | Description | How it impacts CrossFit athletes |
| Improved Biomechanics and Form | Enhances body alignment, balance, and movement efficiency. | Better technique in lifts and exercises, reducing injury risk and boosting performance. |
| Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility | Restores joint mobility, reduces stiffness, and improves range of motion. | Supports safe execution of both bodyweight and weightlifting moves, preventing strain. |
| Early Detection and Injury Prevention | Identifies issues before they escalate. | Allows consistent training without long breaks; prevents major setbacks. |
| Faster Recovery | Speeds up healing after intense workouts, reduces fatigue. | Shorter downtime between sessions, enabling higher training volume. |
| Overall Performance Improvement | Combines alignment, mobility, prevention, and recovery benefits. | Increases strength, endurance, and the ability to handle more challenging workouts. |
| Personalized Care | Tailored adjustments and strategies based on individual needs. | Maximizes results by addressing the athlete’s specific weaknesses or movement limitations. |
Finding a Reliable Chiropractor to Improve Your CrossFit Performance
Working with a chiropractor as a CrossFit athlete can be a great starting point for your success in this discipline. With regular adjustments, your pain will be minimal and your functional movement will improve.. Chiropractors at Prestige Health and Wellness identify the roots of your pain and offer personalized care plans as well as Biomechanical training. They will help you achieve peak performance and minimize the risk of injury. By enhancing performance and recovery, you’ll be able to open the doors for more complex CrossFit exercises and activities. Be sure to call Prestige Health and Wellness at (917) 694-1565 or visit our website at prestigehealthwellness.com for a consultation.
FAQ
Are chiropractic adjustments good for CrossFit athletes?
Chiropractic adjustments are essential for CrossFit athletes by improving range of motion and overall mobility and making the body more flexible. Regular adjustments also help prevent injuries, so individuals perform at their best.
How often should you attend the chiropractor?
The frequency of attendance depends on the individual needs of each person. Chiropractors will evaluate each patient and give a personalized treatment plan to effectively treat a specific patient’s issues .
What does chiropractic care consist of?
Chiropractors at Prestige Health and Wellness use an individualized approach to care to meet the needs of every patient. Doctors identify health problems that negatively affect the performance and choose the best strategy for treatment. Whether it is high velocity low amplitude adjustment, therapeutic exercises or soft tissue manipulation, our chiropractors will be able to identify which treatments would be most effective to assist with your issues.
How long does it take to notice changes after visiting a chiropractor?
Usually most patients feel a difference in the first visit however it takes time to see long-lasting effects that can drastically improve your overall well-being and training.
“As a treating physician for many years now I have seen many CrossFit athletes in my office. Most of my CrossFit patients deal with low back injuries or injuries to the upper extremity. Dead-lifts seem to be a real problem– whether it is improper form or inactivation of core muscles to properly perform the exercises . My best advice to any athlete looking to improve their exercise, functional movement , recovery or overall well-being is to see a chiropractor regularly. The positive effects that you gain from chiropractic care are immense and it could surprise you how much more you can get out of yourself with the proper guidance.”
- Dr. Marino Kambourakis a Doctor of Chiropractic at Prestige Health and Wellness
