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How Chiropractic Care Helps Student Athletes Stay Healthy
- drfrideres
- Sep 22
- 5 min read
Perform Better and Feel Better During Fall Sports Season
School is back in session across Iowa, and so are school sports like football, cross country, volleyball, and cheerleading. For high school and college athletes gearing up for the fall sports season, staying healthy and performing at your best is a top priority. Intense practices and competitions can put a lot of stress on a young athlete’s body – and even minor aches or misalignments can affect your game. That’s where sports chiropractic care comes in. At Frideres Chiropractic Clinic in Nevada, Iowa – a leading chiropractor for athletes in Story County – we specialize in helping student athletes improve their performance, recover faster, and prevent injuries so they can keep playing strong all season long.
Many local athletes already use chiropractic adjustments as part of their training routine, these spinal adjustments can help improve joint alignment and mobility. Regular check-ups with a chiropractor can help student athletes move better, avoid injuries, and even gain a competitive edge in their sport. By keeping the spine and joints in proper alignment, chiropractic care allows the body to handle the demands of sports with less strain.
Common Fall Sports Injuries
Fall sports are exciting, but they also come with their share of bumps and bruises. Different sports tend to stress different parts of the body. Here are some common sports injuries we see in athletes during the fall season:
Football: Hard hits and tackles often lead to neck pain, back pain, and shoulder injuries for football players. You might also experience muscle strains or “stingers” (nerve pain in the neck and shoulder) from the impact of play. It's not uncommon for a rough game to leave players with misalignments or joint soreness that needs attention.
Cross Country: Runners put repetitive stress on their legs, hips, and spine. Common issues include shin splints, knee pain (like runner’s knee), tight hips, and lower back pain after long runs. The pounding miles can lead to joint misalignments or muscle imbalances that slow you down if not addressed.
Volleyball: Jumping and frequent overhead movements can cause ankle sprains, knee strain, and shoulder injuries. Volleyball players often feel shoulder or mid-back strain from spiking and serving, and players may experience low back aches from constant bending and diving for the ball.
Cheerleading: Cheerleaders perform high-impact stunts and tumbling, which can lead to wrist injuries, ankle sprains, and back or neck pain from hard landings. Lifting teammates and flipping puts extra strain on the spine. Even when everything goes right, the wear-and-tear of cheer routines can leave your body feeling sore and tight.
Each of these sports demands a lot from your body. Repetitive motions, high impacts, and long practice hours can create small injuries or imbalances over time. Without proper care, a minor tweak can become a more serious problem that sidelines you.
How Chiropractic Care Boosts Athletic Performance
Chiropractic care isn’t just about fixing injuries – it’s also about optimizing your body so you can play at peak performance. Many professional and college teams include chiropractors in their sports medicine program for this reason. Regular adjustments and preventative care can help athletes of all levels move and perform better. Here are some of the performance benefits you can expect from sports chiropractic care:
Greater flexibility and range of motion: Chiropractic adjustments keep your spine and other joints moving freely. Improved mobility means you can run, jump, and turn without stiffness holding you back. Flexibility is especially important for athletes like runners and cheerleaders who need a full range of motion for safe, efficient movement.
Better balance and coordination: By correcting misalignments, chiropractic care helps your nervous system communicate properly with your muscles. Athletes often notice better balance, quicker reflexes, and improved coordination when their spine is aligned. This can translate to more agile footwork on the football field or a steadier landing after a volleyball spike.
Increased strength and power: When your joints are properly aligned and nerves aren’t pinched, your muscles can contract more effectively. Many athletes feel stronger and more stable after an adjustment. With a well-aligned body, you can generate more power – whether it’s in a faster sprint, a higher jump, or a harder hit.
Faster recovery and less fatigue: Intense training can take a toll, but chiropractic care helps you bounce back faster. Adjustments improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension, which can decrease post-workout soreness. By easing the strain on your body, you’ll feel less fatigued and more ready for the next practice or game.
Natural, drug-free pain relief: Playing through pain might seem “tough,” but it can hurt your performance. Chiropractic provides relief without relying on pain medications. By addressing the root cause of pain (such as a joint that’s out of alignment or a tight muscle), you’ll feel better naturally and be able to focus on your sport.
Preventing Injuries and Staying Healthy All Season
One of the biggest advantages of chiropractic care is injury prevention. Instead of waiting until you’re sidelined, getting regular check-ups can catch small issues before they turn into big problems. When your spine and joints are in proper alignment, your body is more balanced. This means less uneven wear-and-tear on muscles and ligaments, reducing the risk of common sports injuries. Regular adjustments also help correct muscle imbalances and improve your posture and form, which lowers the chance of those nagging overuse injuries that could cut your season short.
And if you do get banged up during a game or practice, chiropractic care can help you heal faster. Gentle adjustments and other therapies can improve circulation and reduce inflammation in injured areas, helping your body’s natural healing process. Athletes who include chiropractic as part of their rehab often find they recover from sprains, strains, and even minor joint injuries more quickly. We can also work on the surrounding muscle tightness and joint stiffness that come after an injury, so you regain your full strength and mobility sooner.
Another benefit of seeing a chiropractor is the ability to manage pain naturally. After an intense game, you might be sore, but that doesn’t mean you need to reach for pain pills. Chiropractic adjustments relieve pressure on nerves and ease tension in muscles, often providing relief right away. By treating the root cause of pain rather than just masking it, you’ll not only feel better but also prevent small injuries from worsening. It’s a safe, drug-free approach that keeps student athletes feeling good and ready to perform.
For parents and athletes concerned about safety: chiropractic care is gentle and appropriate for all ages. Dr. Mark Frideres is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) with advanced training in treating athletic injuries and maximizing sports performance. Our team understands the unique needs of student athletes. We make sure each treatment is comfortable, effective, and tailored to your sport and your body. Our goal is to keep you healthy, active, and playing at your best.
Book Your Appointment and Boost Your Athletic Performance!
Sports injuries and pains shouldn’t keep you on the sidelines. Frideres Chiropractic Clinic proudly serves student athletes across Nevada, IA and nearby communities in Story County and Marshall County such as:
Ames
Story City
Gilbert
Huxley
Roland
Cambridge
Maxwell
Colo
Marshalltown
State Center
Melbourne
and more...
Call Frideres Chiropractic Clinic or contact us to set up your appointment. If it’s your first visit, check out our New Patient Special to get started this week. We’re ready to help you stay healthy and reach peak performance this season – let’s make this fall your best one yet!
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