Welcome back to the Art of Function Chiropractic Wellness Blog! It’s been a while since our last post, and we’re so grateful to have you with us on this continued journey in holistic, patient-focused chiropractic care.
As our clinic evolves, so does the way we serve our community. Today, we’re diving into a question we often get from both new and returning patients:
What exactly is a Sports Chiropractor—and do you need to be an athlete to see one?
Let’s break it down.
What Is a Sports Chiropractor?
If you’ve explored chiropractic care before, you’ve probably noticed that different chiropractors specialize in different areas. Some focus on prenatal and pediatric chiropractic, others work with motor vehicle accident injuries, and many serve a broad range of patients.
At Art of Function, we specialize in Sports Chiropractic care. But that doesn’t mean we only treat athletes.
Do You Have to Be an Athlete to See a Sports Chiropractor?
Absolutely not.
In fact, many of our patients wouldn’t consider themselves athletes at all. You don’t have to be training for a marathon or competing in CrossFit to benefit from this type of care.
What sets a Sports Chiropractor apart is the additional education and clinical training in diagnosing and treating injuries that affect the entire musculoskeletal system—not just the spine. That includes:
- Shoulders
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
- Elbows and wrists
Collectively, we can call all of the groups listed above as “extremities”. Whether you’re an active adult, a weekend warrior, or simply want to move better and feel stronger, Sports Chiropractic care can be a great fit.
How Is Sports Chiropractic Care Different?
Our approach at Art of Function may look a little different than what you’d find at a traditional family chiropractic office. Here’s what you can expect:
- Chiropractic Adjustments: We still provide traditional spinal or extremity adjustments when appropriate.
- Manual Therapy: We frequently incorporate soft tissue work—such as myofascial release, trigger point therapy, cupping, or muscle stretching techniques—to address tension and improve mobility.
- Rehabilitation & Corrective Exercises: We guide patients through targeted exercises that support long-term recovery, stability, and performance.
This multimodal approach allows us to treat a wide variety of conditions and movement issues effectively.
How to Find a Certified Sports Chiropractor
If you’re outside our local area but looking for a certified Sports Chiropractor, a great place to start is the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians directory:
🔗 Search the ACBSP directory
Look for certifications like:
- CCSP® (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)
- DACBSP® (Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians)
If you are outside of our area, you’ll find chiropractors with these designations—or who list a specialty in sports injury treatment or performance-based chiropractic care.
Ready to Move Better and Feel Stronger?
At Art of Function, we’re passionate about helping people of all ages and activity levels improve their movement, reduce pain, and live life without limitations.
If you’re curious whether Sports Chiropractic care is right for you, we’d love to connect.
📞 Give us a call or stop by the clinic—we’re here to support your health, function, and performance.
Article written by: Shiloh Heesch, DC MS CCSP®
