Dr. Dean Collins is an experienced Edmonton chiropractor helping athletes of all ages recover from injuries, improve mobility and function, and keep their bodies performing at their best. With over 30 years of experience, he provides personalized chiropractic care for children and teen athletes, recreational and competitive athletes, hockey and soccer players, runners, weightlifters, golfers, and active adults.
Personalized chiropractic care for athletes of all ages to help you recover, move well, stay active, and perform at your best.
Chiropractic Care for Athletes in Edmonton
Being active places unique demands on your body.
Whether you run, lift weights, golf, cycle, play hockey, soccer, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics or participate in another recreational or competitive sport, your muscles, joints and nervous system must work together efficiently to produce movement, strength, balance and coordination.
This is important for adults, but also for children and teenagers involved in sports. Young athletes may experience injuries, repetitive stresses and physical demands related to practices, games, tournaments and increasing training loads while their bodies are still growing and developing.
Pain and injury can interfere with activity – but you don’t have to be injured to benefit from chiropractic care.
Our approach to chiropractic care for athletes in Edmonton looks beyond simply treating symptoms. We assess how your spine, joints, muscles and nervous system are functioning and look for factors that may be affecting movement, recovery or your ability to participate comfortably in the activities you enjoy.
The goal is simple: help athletes of all ages move well, recover well and keep doing what they love.
Why Do Athletes See a Chiropractor?
Athletes may seek chiropractic care for many different reasons.
Some come to our Edmonton clinic because an injury or recurring problem is preventing them from training or participating in their sport. Others notice stiffness, restricted movement or discomfort during a particular exercise or activity. And some use chiropractic care proactively as part of maintaining their mobility and physical function.
Common reasons athletes visit us include:
- Back and neck pain
- Sports injuries
- Shoulder pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Foot and ankle pain
- Sciatica and nerve irritation
- Muscle strains and joint sprains
- Restricted mobility or stiffness
- Repetitive strain and overuse problems
- Pain associated with running or weight training
- Injuries associated with practices, games or competition
- Recurring problems that return when training intensity increases
- Maintaining mobility and function during regular training
For children and teen athletes, parents may also bring their child in when pain or an injury is interfering with practices, competition or normal physical activity. Assessing the problem can help determine what has been injured, whether activity needs to be modified and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.
An athlete doesn’t have to compete at an elite level to benefit from care. From a child playing community soccer or hockey to a competitive athlete or an adult who simply loves staying active, the principle is the same: your body needs to tolerate the demands you place on it.
More Than Sports Injury Treatment
Treating an injury is an important part of chiropractic care for athletes – but it isn’t the whole picture.
Pain often develops when the demands of training exceed what a particular muscle, joint or other tissue can comfortably tolerate. Previous injuries, reduced joint mobility, nerve problems, muscle imbalance, training load, repetitive movements and exercise technique may all contribute.
Your assessment therefore looks not only at where it hurts, but also at how the surrounding areas are moving and functioning.
For example, knee pain may sometimes be influenced by movement or mobility at the spine, hip, ankle or foot. Shoulder problems may involve the shoulder itself, but movement through the upper back, ribs or neck may also be relevant.
Identifying these contributing factors can help us develop a more complete approach to your recovery.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Athletes
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring and maintaining healthy movement and function throughout the neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves and muscles).
Depending on your condition, sport, age and individual needs, your care may include:
- Comprehensive assessment of your injury or complaint
- Chiropractic adjustments and joint mobilization
- Assessment of spinal and extremity joint mobility
- Soft tissue treatment when appropriate
- Evaluation of movement and muscular function
- Rehabilitation and corrective exercises
- Advice regarding training, activity and recovery
- Strategies to help reduce recurring problems
Treatment isn’t identical for every athlete. Your care is adapted to your age, activity level, injury, training demands and goals.
Joint Mobility, Proprioception and Neuromuscular Control
Athletic movement requires more than strength and flexibility.
Your brain and nervous system constantly receive information from your muscles and joints about where your body is positioned and how it is moving. This sense of body position – known as proprioception – helps coordinate movement, balance and joint control.
An injury or restricted joint movement may alter this sensory information and affect how efficiently muscles respond around an area.
Restoring healthy joint movement with chiropractic adjustments and then reinforcing that movement through appropriate exercise can therefore be an important part of rehabilitation.
For an athlete, the objective isn’t simply to make an area hurt less. We want it to move well, respond appropriately and tolerate the demands of your activity.
Recovering From a Sports Injury
When you’re injured, the temptation is often to either stop everything completely or push through the pain and hope it disappears.
Neither approach is always ideal.
The first step is determining what has been injured and how significant the problem is. Some sports injuries respond well to conservative care and a gradual return to activity, while others may require imaging, medical assessment or referral.
Once we understand the problem, we can help determine which activities you can continue, what may need to be temporarily modified, and how you can progressively return to normal training.
Our goal is not simply to get you out of pain. It is to help restore the mobility, strength and function needed to confidently return to your sport or activity.
Chiropractic Care for Children and Teen Athletes
Sports and physical activity provide tremendous benefits for growing children, but young athletes can also experience many of the same musculoskeletal injuries and problems as adults.
Depending on their sport, young athletes may develop ankle and knee injuries, back or neck pain, shoulder problems, muscle strains, joint sprains and repetitive-use complaints.
Children, however, aren’t simply smaller adults. Their bodies are still growing, and their age, stage of development, type of injury and level of activity all need to be considered when assessing and treating them.
Dr. Collins has extensive experience providing chiropractic care for children as well as adults. Care for a young athlete is individualized and age-appropriate, with treatment adapted to the child’s size, condition and stage of development.
When an injury falls outside the appropriate scope for chiropractic treatment or requires further investigation, imaging or medical assessment may be recommended.
The objective is to help young athletes recover safely, restore normal movement and function, and return appropriately to the activities and sports they enjoy.
Chiropractic Care for Active Adults
You don’t have to call yourself an athlete.
Many of our patients simply enjoy being active. They run, hike, cycle, golf, ski, work out at the gym, play recreational sports or want to remain physically capable as they get older.
For these patients, maintaining movement and function can be just as important as treating an injury.
Regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health. Chiropractic care can be one component of helping you stay mobile, address problems when they arise and continue participating in the activities that keep you healthy.
Learn More About Chiropractic Care for Athletes
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, trying to stay active, or looking for ways to improve how your body moves and functions, these articles provide more information for athletes and active adults:
- When Should You See a Chiropractor for a Sports Injury?
- Get Stronger with Chiropractic Care
- Improve Your Flexibility with Chiropractic Care
- Improve Your Balance and Coordination with Chiropractic Care
- Chiropractic Improves Sports Performance
- Why Does My Knee Hurt When I Run?
- Why Does My Lower Back Hurt After Working Out?
- Why Does My Shoulder Hurt After Working Out?
- Why Does My Back Hurt After Golf?
What to Expect During Your First Visit in Our Edmonton Clinic
Your first visit begins with understanding what you want to accomplish.
- Consultation and assessment – We discuss your symptoms, injury history, sport or activity, training demands and goals.
- Physical examination – We assess relevant joints, muscles, movement patterns, posture and nerve function to help determine the cause of your problem.
- Personalized treatment plan – Your recommendations are based on what we find, your goals and the activities you want to return to.
- Hands-on chiropractic care – Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, soft tissue techniques and other appropriate therapies.
- Exercise and activity guidance – When appropriate, we’ll recommend exercises or modifications to help support your recovery and return to activity.
Whether your goal is getting back onto the ice, returning to the gym, running without pain or simply keeping up with the activities you enjoy, your care is built around what you want your body to be able to do.
Success Stories
“Exceptional. My kids (almost 14 & 12.5), who are serious about their sports, were asking to go see Dr. Dean. They love seeing Dean as they always feel better. Today was no exception. Dean spent a lot of time with both – always seems to correct or certainly minimize their problems. Great with kids! Highly recommend Dean for young athletes.”
John L.
“I started going to Dr. Collins a few months ago. I was in pain and hoped he could help. I was very impressed with the thorough examination including x-rays, balance tests and much more to get a full picture of what was going on with my injury and my body as a whole. Since then, my pain has almost disappeared and I am able to run long distances without being laid up for days after. If you want to see someone who is knowledgeable, straight forward and caring, check out Dr. Collins.”
Carrie
“Never ceases to amaze me…I thought I was fine but Dr. Collins checked my leg strength, found that hiding issue and corrected it.”
Cathy J.
“My hip popped out of place from dancing. I got it assessed and was told to come to a chiropractor. My father recommended me to Dr. Collins. I’m so happy with the service here! My hip has improved significantly and keeps getting better with each visit. The staff here is very friendly, always smiling! Also, I like how their appointments are very short and flexible so it’s easy to fit into my busy schedule! “
Sierra
Trust & Experience
- Over 30 years of chiropractic experience
- Chiropractic care for children, teens and adult athletes
- Experienced treating sports injuries and active adults
- Chiropractic care for spinal and extremity conditions
- Personalized, age-appropriate treatment based on individual needs and goals
- Rehabilitation and exercise recommendations when appropriate
- Care for recreational athletes, competitive athletes and active families
Dr. Dean Collins has been helping Edmonton patients of all ages recover from pain and injury and improve their physical function for more than 30 years. His approach combines hands-on chiropractic care with an understanding of movement, exercise, nerve and muscle function and the demands that sports and an active lifestyle place on the body.
Learn more about Dr. Collins and his approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While many athletes initially seek chiropractic care because of pain or injury, others use care to address restricted movement, recurring problems or to help maintain mobility and function while training.
Chiropractors commonly assess and manage many nerve and muscle problems involving the back, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, feet and ankles. Strains, sprains, joint irritation, overuse problems and some nerve-related conditions may respond to conservative care. If your injury requires imaging or another healthcare provider, we can refer you appropriately.
Chiropractic care may be part of a rehabilitation plan designed to restore joint movement, reduce pain and progressively rebuild the function needed for your activity. Your return to sport depends on the type and severity of the injury and the demands of your particular sport.
Yes. Children and teenagers can experience sprains, strains, joint injuries, back and neck pain and other musculoskeletal problems related to sports and physical activity. Dr. Collins assesses young athletes individually and adapts treatment to their age, size, stage of development and particular condition. If an injury requires imaging, medical assessment or another type of care, an appropriate referral can be made.
Not at all. We see recreational athletes and active adults as well. If running, weight training, golfing, cycling, skiing, hiking or another physical activity is important to you, you don’t have to compete at a high level to benefit from having a musculoskeletal problem properly assessed and treated.
Chiropractic care isn’t a shortcut to becoming stronger, faster or more skilled. Athletic performance depends primarily on training, conditioning, recovery, nutrition and many other factors. However, addressing pain, restricted joint movement, and nerve and muscle problems will help an athlete move and train more optimally and comfortably.
Ready to Get Back to the Activities You Love?
Whether you’re recovering from a sports injury, dealing with a recurring problem or simply want your body functioning well enough to keep training and staying active, we’re here to help.
For parents, that also means having somewhere to turn when an injury or musculoskeletal problem is keeping your child or teenager from comfortably participating in the sport they enjoy.
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to take your performance, recovery and long-term physical health seriously.
Book your appointment today!
About Dr. Dean Collins
Dr. Dean Collins is an Edmonton chiropractor with over 30 years of clinical experience. Since 1995, he has helped patients of all ages improve mobility, reduce pain, and stay active through personalized chiropractic care. He practices at Collins Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre in Edmonton, providing care for back, neck, joint, and other nerve and musculoskeletal conditions.
Learn more about Dr. Collins or book an appointment today.
To learn more about how chiropractor care can help you and your family, read Dr. Collins’ comprehensive guide to chiropractic care: Chiropractic Care for Everyone.
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