Chiropractic Improves Muscle Strength

When you're competing in sports, the stronger your muscles are, the higher your level of performance. And while a lot of muscle strength can be gained in the gym, chiropractic can also help enhance this effect.

Dr. Mike Melton is a chiropractor in Carmel, IN who keeps up-to-date with the latest scientific literature, and Experimental Brain Research recently published a study involving 10 subjects whose muscle contractions were assessed both before and after chiropractic spinal manipulation. These contractions were then compared to the same measurements that were taken when the subjects engaged in a control intervention.

What the researchers discovered is that the maximum muscle contraction after spinal manipulation was increased by almost 60 percent. Furthermore, the force was increased as well, coming in at 16 percent higher than it was pre-treatment. This caused the researchers to conclude that chiropractic "appears to alter the net excitability of the low-threshold motor units, increase cortical drive, and prevent fatigue."

Another study published in The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association found that chiropractic can increase strength in a different way. In this case, the subject was a 44-year-old female who was experiencing pain and limited range of motion in her right shoulder and arm. This affected her grip strength and made it more difficult to pick up things with that particular hand.

However, after receiving chiropractic care for approximately eight weeks, her pain lessened, her range of motion increased, and her grip strength improved...with positive results still showing two years later.

These two studies highlight just a couple of ways that chiropractic can help make you stronger and therefore better at your sport of choice.

If you want to improve your health, chiropractic care with Dr. Mike Melton is the natural way to do it. We're conveniently located in Carmel, IN and our phone number is (800) 295-3346. Give us a call today to see how we can help you.

Resources

• Niazi I, Turker KS, Flavel S, et al. Changes in H-reflex and V-waves following spinal manipulation. Experimental Brain Research 2015;233(4):1165-73.
• Shearer HM, Trim A. An unusual presentation and outcome of complex regional pain syndrome: a case report. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 2006;50(1):20-26.