BOULDER, Colo., Aug. 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kennedy Chiropractic & Acupuncture is raising awareness about the benefits of chiropractic care for college athletes. Chiropractor Dr. Douglas R. Kennedy regularly provides care for University of Colorado student athletes. According to Dr. Kennedy, chiropractic adjustments help the body maintain proper alignment, which reduces the risk for sports injuries and enhances performance. Dr. Kennedy is also a certified acupuncturist. He provides drug-free pain management and stress relief for students. Dr. Kennedy is encouraging student athletes to learn more about the benefits of adjustments and acupuncture by visiting the practice's website, http://www.colopainclinic.com/.
Boulder chiropractor Dr. Kennedy announced that his practice provides sports injury rehabilitation and preventative care for athletes in an around the University of Colorado area. Dr. Kennedy's practice, Kennedy Chiropractic & Acupuncture, is just a short distance from the Boulder campus.
"Many college athletes receive regular spinal adjustments to naturally enhance their athletic performance," said Dr. Kennedy. "Proper alignment is essential to peak performance. Maintaining proper alignment helps reduce the risk for sports injuries and chronic pain, allowing Boulder college athletes to be a competitive on the field."
According to the chiropractor, common sports injuries include repetitive motion injuries affecting the elbows or shoulders, Low Back Pain, Hip and Groin Pain, and neck pain as well. Even intramural athletes can suffer from a herniated disc or whiplash injury due to an on-field collision while playing flag football, soccer or softball.
"Once injured, if not treated soon, student athletes are at risk for chronic pain," said Dr. Kennedy. "For example, a mild sprain of the lower back may linger and get aggravated by sitting and studying. A short while later, the body will begin to tighten the muscles in the area in an attempt to prevent the injured area from moving. This tightening creates abnormal movement nearby, further causing pain and compensation.
"I am currently treating a 22 year old student who hurt his lower back doing Cross-Fit sit ups. A few weeks later while on vacation, he was playing soccer on the beach; he fell hard onto his hip and BOOM! Herniated disc in the L4/5 region," said the chiropractor. "Injuries can keep students off the playing field and negatively impact academics. When students are in pain, it is difficult to study or sleep."
He says that all college students can benefit from acupuncture and/or spinal adjustments. Adjustments help open up the body, countering the negative effects of poor posture and school-related stress.
"All students can benefit from the positive effects of regular spinal adjustments," said Dr. Kennedy. "College students study hard and play hard – often going on little sleep to make class deadlines and still enjoy the college experience. Regular adjustments help maintain the body's health, protecting against illness and injury."
Boulder students may learn more about the benefits of regular adjustments and acupuncture by visiting http://www.colopainclinic.com.