Chiropractic Care Helps Athletic Performance

The journal Advances in Chronic Diseases published the results of a study on May 26, 2025, documenting that chiropractic care for athletes not only helps the athletes recover from injuries, but also helps athletic performance in athletes. This study was an evidence-based evaluation that conducted a literature review of other scientific studies on chiropractic care for athletes.

The author of this study is not a chiropractor, and he begins by explaining, "Chiropractic treatment is a form of manual therapy that targets the regulation of the nervous system and the functional balance of the musculoskeletal system through manipulations applied to the spine and surrounding structures."

Many people believe that cardiovascular function is the main key to athletic performance. The author of this study explains that much more is involved. "Enhancing athletic performance is not solely dependent on cardiovascular capacity or endurance, but is also closely linked to neuromuscular efficiency, muscular strength, and coordination."

The study notes that it is the athletes themselves who have driven the increase in chiropractic usage for performance enhancement. "While chiropractic services were once rarely provided even to amateur athletes, today, chiropractic care is increasingly preferred by professional and Olympic-level sports teams." He continues, "Some athletes, despite not presenting musculoskeletal symptoms, insist on receiving chiropractic treatment prior to competitions to optimize performance, with 94% reporting immediate improvements."

The research included in this study was obtained from previous studies over a 20-year period from 2004 to 2024. High quality papers on chiropractic care for athletes were reviewed and the data combined to see the effects of chiropractic on athletic performance.

The results of this overview study showed that chiropractic not only was helpful in care of injured athletes but also helped prevent injuries and increased the athlete’s performance. The author explained how chiropractic adjustment on the spine can help athletes. "A foundational concept of chiropractic care is that the health and functionality of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems are closely tied to the proper alignment of the vertebral column."

The author cited multiple other studies and research that confirmed chiropractic care helping athletes with endurance, muscle strength, balance, accelerated injury recovery, increased range of motion, and enhance physical performance.

In his overview conclusion, the author noted chiropractic helped athletes on a number of critical levels. "…chiropractic care contributes not only to short-term performance improvements but also, although to a more limited extent, to long-term health outcomes."