Chiropractic is a health care system that holds that the structure of the body, particularly the spine, affects the function of every part of the body. Chiropractors try to correct the body’s alignment to relieve pain and improve function to help the body heal itself.

While the mainstay of chiropractic is spinal manipulation, chiropractic care now includes a wide variety of other treatments, including manual or manipulative therapies, postural and exercise education, ergonomic training (how to walk, sit, and stand to limit back strain) and even nutritional consultation. In addition, chiropractors today often work in conjunction with primary care doctors, pain experts, and surgeons to treat patients with pain.

Chiropractic care is the perfect way to keep your body functioning correctly, and it’s also perfect for those involved in sports and athletics. Thousands of professional athletes take advantage of the competitive edge they gain from regular chiropractic care. For example 27 of 30 Major League Baseball teams, the NFL, and almost every NBA team has an official, on-staff chiropractor to care for team members. Olympic athletes began working with chiropractors officially in 1976, and the US team sent over 100 chiropractors to London for the 2012 Olympics.