Enhancing Athletic Performance: The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Strength and Endurance3/23/2025  Athletes continuously push their bodies to perform at the highest level, whether it’s through endurance training, strength conditioning, or refining their skills for peak performance. While rigorous workouts and nutrition play significant roles in achieving athletic excellence, spinal alignment and nervous system function are equally critical. Many athletes are turning to upper cervical chiropractic care as a natural and non-invasive way to enhance their strength, endurance, and overall performance. Dr. Joey Miles at Healthy Living Spinal Care in Hickory, NC, explains how upper cervical chiropractic adjustments can optimize the body’s biomechanics, reduce injury risks, and improve athletic capabilities. Why Spinal Alignment Matters for AthletesThe upper cervical spine, consisting of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, plays a crucial role in the body's structural balance and nervous system function. These two vertebrae protect the brainstem, which controls essential bodily functions, including muscle coordination, balance, and proprioception (the body's ability to sense movement and position). When misalignments occur in the upper cervical spine, it can create a chain reaction of dysfunction throughout the body, leading to:
For an athlete, these issues can result in decreased performance and a higher likelihood of injury. Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on correcting these misalignments, restoring optimal nerve function, and allowing the body to perform at its peak. How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Enhances Strength and EnduranceAthletes looking to improve strength and endurance can greatly benefit from upper cervical chiropractic care. Here’s how it contributes to peak physical performance: 1. Improved Nervous System Function for Stronger MusclesMuscle strength is directly linked to neurological efficiency. The nervous system sends signals to muscles, dictating their contraction and relaxation. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can disrupt these signals, leading to slower muscle response and reduced power output. By realigning the atlas and axis vertebrae, upper cervical chiropractic care removes interference in the nervous system, enabling faster muscle activation and stronger contractions, which are essential for explosive movements in sports. 2. Enhanced Endurance Through Better OxygenationEndurance sports such as long-distance running, cycling, and swimming require optimal oxygen flow to sustain prolonged physical exertion. When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can restrict blood circulation to the brain, leading to reduced oxygen levels and early fatigue. Upper cervical adjustments improve blood flow and oxygen delivery, allowing athletes to train longer and recover faster without experiencing premature exhaustion. 3. Faster Recovery and Reduced InflammationAthletes often experience muscle soreness and inflammation due to high-intensity training. While some inflammation is necessary for muscle repair, chronic inflammation can slow recovery and lead to long-term injuries. Proper upper cervical alignment supports the body’s natural ability to reduce inflammation by ensuring efficient nervous system communication and promoting quicker healing of tissues and muscles. This means shorter recovery times between workouts and competitions. 4. Increased Range of Motion and FlexibilityMany sports demand a wide range of motion—whether it’s a golfer’s swing, a gymnast’s flexibility, or a basketball player’s agility. However, spinal misalignments can lead to joint restrictions, reducing mobility and increasing the risk of strains or sprains. Upper cervical chiropractic adjustments restore proper spinal alignment, allowing for:
With improved mobility, athletes can maximize their movements without limitations, improving both performance and injury prevention. 5. Better Balance and CoordinationSports performance relies heavily on balance and coordination. The brainstem, housed in the upper cervical spine, is responsible for processing balance signals from the body. Misalignments can disrupt these signals, leading to delayed reaction times and reduced coordination. By correcting spinal misalignments, upper cervical chiropractic care enhances proprioception and neuromuscular control, allowing athletes to move with greater precision and stability. Scientific Support for Chiropractic Care in Sports Performance Research has shown that chiropractic care can positively impact athletic performance, recovery, and injury prevention:
These findings suggest that maintaining proper spinal alignment can be a game-changer for athletes looking to optimize their performance. How Athletes Can Integrate Upper Cervical Chiropractic into Their TrainingAthletes of all levels—from weekend warriors to professional competitors—can integrate upper cervical chiropractic care into their routine to enhance performance and prevent injuries. Here’s how:
Community ImpactHealthy Living Spinal Care proudly serves Hickory, Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, and Statesville, providing athletes with natural, drug-free solutions to enhance their strength and endurance. Dr. Joey Miles specializes in upper cervical chiropractic care, helping athletes achieve their highest potential with precise spinal adjustments. A Natural Edge in Athletic PerformanceFor athletes striving to reach peak strength and endurance, upper cervical chiropractic care provides a competitive edge. By improving nervous system function, increasing mobility, enhancing recovery, and optimizing overall performance, chiropractic adjustments help athletes train harder, perform better, and recover faster. If you’re looking for a natural, performance-enhancing solution, upper cervical chiropractic care may be the key to taking your athletic abilities to the next level. Medical Disclaimer:This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment or therapy, especially if you have existing health conditions or concerns. Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care or treatment for serious conditions. Please consult with a qualified healthcare provider to determine the best approach for your specific needs.
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How To Manage A Pinched Nerve With A Chiropractor for Migraines In Hickory
Neck pain in Hickory, or soreness in other parts of your body, can come from a variety of different sources. These range from arthritis to tendonitis to torn cartilages in your joints. This also doesn’t include the variety of other conditions that have back pain in Hickory as a common symptom. One common such example is getting a pinched nerve in the upper part of the spine, also known as cervical radiculopathy. This generally occurs when bone spurs start to appear around the discs in the spine. When everything is working well, the discs should absorb the shocks between each individual vertebra. A bone spur is a small bit of bone that is formed as we age and discs get weaker. When things go properly, bone spurs support the vertebrae as they get weaker, However, in some cases, those spurs press on nerve roots, leading to other symptoms.
Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
How do you tell that the soreness you are dealing with stems from a pinched nerve? No matter what area it’s in, you’re going to need to have an in-depth exam of the affected area to be absolutely certain. As an example, a pinched nerve is generally localized in one area. Another thing to note is that these are normally very sharp soreness. By comparison, if you simply overexerted a muscle, the sensation would likely be a duller strain. In some cases, a pinch may never have any other symptoms. Some people feel a sensation of pins and needles in a certain area. Others may feel numbness or weakness when trying to lift something.
Depending on where you feel your symptoms and the exact nature of them, your medical professional may be able to determine if it is a pinched nerve or not quite quickly. Generally, though, an exam will still be administered. These start by testing sensitivity, strength, and reflexes. You may be told to do different stretches and movements to determine what leads to symptoms and what relieves them. You’ll also likely need to provide details about your pain. For example, be sure to have a record of when the pain started, and any activities that you do that cause soreness to flare up. If it is soothed by certain activities, be sure to mention those as well. Your doctor might also ask if you have had other health changes or recently increased your physical activities. If the spinal nerves are impacted, they can manifest in surprising ways, like bladder and bowel issues.
Say that your standard exam isn’t enough to get to the root of these issues. Your doctor may instead decide to do imaging tests to figure out what’s causing the pinched nerve and where it is. This is mostly administered through X-rays or MRI scans. An X-ray can showcase details going on with your bones, but won’t show your discs and nerves. With this said, they can be useful for determining if you have narrow vertebrae or bone spurs. An MRI is able to do more, showing how healthy your nerves and discs are in detail. In some cases, an X-ray may be done to a certain area to check for bone injury. Lastly, if the issue is due to injured ligaments or tendons, an ultrasound may be needed.
Working With Your Fibromyalgia Chiropractor In Hickory
So, if you suspect that a pinched nerve is behind your soreness, or know it for a fact, what can you do? One asset that you have is doing a posture adjustment. To start, try and find a position that helps you feel comfortable with your soreness. After this, you can adapt your lifestyle and living spaces to help you stay in that posture as much as possible. For a lot of people, doing this in the workplace is a major source of problems. One way to get around this is by using a standing workplace. These help prevent pinched nerves, treat existing ones, and just lower overall soreness. You can either ask the HR department to modify your existing space or buy your own.
Another thing to note is that whenever you are dealing with a pinched nerve, you want to make sure that you are as rested as possible, along with lowering any activity that leads to soreness. Try and keep the cycle of rest going until your symptoms subside. After this, you can begin to start testing things together. For certain types of issues, like carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be able to use a splint to protect your wrist.
You have a lot of options that you can do at home to help lower soreness from pinched nerves. For example, a gentle stretch can help provide relief, but you don’t want to overextend yourself. Focus on smaller movements, and if you find yourself getting sore again, try and do something less intensive. Think about applying heat to your muscles in the affected area to help them loosen. Heat also supports healing by promoting blood flow. Generally, you want to apply it for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can also do ice instead if you prefer. Simply get some ice, wrap it in a washcloth, and apply it to the area for 10-15 minutes as well.
If you want additional help, consider looking into NSAIDs. These can help quite a bit with mild soreness and can be brought over the counter. With that said, just make sure that you read and stick to the recommended dosage. These aren’t going to be able to provide total coverage as well. If you find that you’re dealing with consistent, extreme, or repeated soreness, reach out to a medical professional. On top of performing the exams before, they may be able to provide a prescription for more powerful medication. They may also recommend a specialist like a chiropractor in Hickory. This will help you get the treatment you need.
Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
How do you tell that the soreness you are dealing with stems from a pinched nerve? No matter what area it’s in, you’re going to need to have an in-depth exam of the affected area to be absolutely certain. As an example, a pinched nerve is generally localized in one area. Another thing to note is that these are normally very sharp soreness. By comparison, if you simply overexerted a muscle, the sensation would likely be a duller strain. In some cases, a pinch may never have any other symptoms. Some people feel a sensation of pins and needles in a certain area. Others may feel numbness or weakness when trying to lift something.
Depending on where you feel your symptoms and the exact nature of them, your medical professional may be able to determine if it is a pinched nerve or not quite quickly. Generally, though, an exam will still be administered. These start by testing sensitivity, strength, and reflexes. You may be told to do different stretches and movements to determine what leads to symptoms and what relieves them. You’ll also likely need to provide details about your pain. For example, be sure to have a record of when the pain started, and any activities that you do that cause soreness to flare up. If it is soothed by certain activities, be sure to mention those as well. Your doctor might also ask if you have had other health changes or recently increased your physical activities. If the spinal nerves are impacted, they can manifest in surprising ways, like bladder and bowel issues.
Say that your standard exam isn’t enough to get to the root of these issues. Your doctor may instead decide to do imaging tests to figure out what’s causing the pinched nerve and where it is. This is mostly administered through X-rays or MRI scans. An X-ray can showcase details going on with your bones, but won’t show your discs and nerves. With this said, they can be useful for determining if you have narrow vertebrae or bone spurs. An MRI is able to do more, showing how healthy your nerves and discs are in detail. In some cases, an X-ray may be done to a certain area to check for bone injury. Lastly, if the issue is due to injured ligaments or tendons, an ultrasound may be needed.
Working With Your Fibromyalgia Chiropractor In Hickory
So, if you suspect that a pinched nerve is behind your soreness, or know it for a fact, what can you do? One asset that you have is doing a posture adjustment. To start, try and find a position that helps you feel comfortable with your soreness. After this, you can adapt your lifestyle and living spaces to help you stay in that posture as much as possible. For a lot of people, doing this in the workplace is a major source of problems. One way to get around this is by using a standing workplace. These help prevent pinched nerves, treat existing ones, and just lower overall soreness. You can either ask the HR department to modify your existing space or buy your own.
Another thing to note is that whenever you are dealing with a pinched nerve, you want to make sure that you are as rested as possible, along with lowering any activity that leads to soreness. Try and keep the cycle of rest going until your symptoms subside. After this, you can begin to start testing things together. For certain types of issues, like carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be able to use a splint to protect your wrist.
You have a lot of options that you can do at home to help lower soreness from pinched nerves. For example, a gentle stretch can help provide relief, but you don’t want to overextend yourself. Focus on smaller movements, and if you find yourself getting sore again, try and do something less intensive. Think about applying heat to your muscles in the affected area to help them loosen. Heat also supports healing by promoting blood flow. Generally, you want to apply it for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can also do ice instead if you prefer. Simply get some ice, wrap it in a washcloth, and apply it to the area for 10-15 minutes as well.
If you want additional help, consider looking into NSAIDs. These can help quite a bit with mild soreness and can be brought over the counter. With that said, just make sure that you read and stick to the recommended dosage. These aren’t going to be able to provide total coverage as well. If you find that you’re dealing with consistent, extreme, or repeated soreness, reach out to a medical professional. On top of performing the exams before, they may be able to provide a prescription for more powerful medication. They may also recommend a specialist like a chiropractor in Hickory. This will help you get the treatment you need.