Chiropractic Helps Athletes Prevent Injuries Using Assessments

Functional Movement Assessments: How Integrative Chiropractic Care Helps Athletes Prevent Injuries Before Pain Starts

Athletes often ask a smart question: “Can we find problems before they turn into pain?” The answer is yes—many times we can. One of the best ways is through a functional movement assessment, which is a structured way to watch how someone squats, steps, hinges, reaches, balances, and stabilizes.

The goal is not to “hunt for something wrong.” The goal is to spot small, early movement issues (sometimes called subclinical imbalances)—such as stiffness, weakness, poor timing, or uneven control—before they lead to overuse injuries, strains, or joint irritation.

Integrative chiropractic care fits well with this approach because it does more than “crack backs.” It combines:

• joint and spine motion work (adjustments/manipulation)

• soft tissue care (muscle and fascia work)

• corrective exercise and movement coaching

• recovery planning that matches the sport and training season

When athletes request functional movement testing, integrative care can help reduce injury risk, improve performance, and maintain consistent training—because fewer setbacks mean more progress over time. (Stanlick Chiropractic, 2025; The KC Chiro, n.d.; 417 Spine, n.d.)

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Why Athletes Get Hurt Even When They’re “Strong”

Many injuries occur without a single big moment. Instead, they build slowly.

Common reasons include:

• Repetitive patterns such as running, throwing, cutting, and lifting are common factors.

• Small technique flaws that repeat thousands of times

• Mobility limits (hips, ankles, thoracic spine)

• Stability or control gaps (core, pelvis, scapula)

• Left-right imbalances (one hip tight, one glute weak)

• Training errors (too much volume, not enough recovery)

Even elite athletes can have these issues. The problem is that the body is great at compensating—it finds a way to finish the task. But compensation often shifts stress to tissues that were not designed to handle it, increasing injury risk over time. (Advanced Spine & Posture, n.d.; MyChiroforLife, n.d.)

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What “Subclinical Imbalances” Look Like in Real Life

“Subclinical” basically means it’s there, but it doesn’t hurt yet.

A movement screen may reveal things like:

• a knee collapsing inward during a squat

• hips rotating unevenly during a lunge

• ankles that do not bend well (limited dorsiflexion)

• one shoulder that hikes up during overhead motion

• a trunk that shifts or twists during stepping

• poor pelvic control when running or landing

These patterns matter because they can signal:

• joint restrictions

• tight tissue that changes mechanics

• weak links in the chain

• timing problems (muscles firing late or not enough)

Many clinics describe this as spotting “subtle weaknesses” that could become future injuries if ignored. (Stanlick Chiropractic, 2025; 417 Spine, n.d.; AnySpine, 2024)

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What a Functional Movement Assessment Actually Does

A functional movement assessment is like a performance safety check. It focuses on the basics that show up in nearly every sport:

• Mobility: Can joints move through healthy ranges?

• Stability: Can the body control those ranges under load?

• Coordination: Do muscles work together at the right time?

• Symmetry: Does left match right closely enough?

• Quality: Is the movement smooth, controlled, and efficient?

You may see tests that include:

• squat patterns

• hip hinge patterns

• lunge/step patterns

• single-leg balance

• core bracing and breathing mechanics

• shoulder and thoracic movement checks

Many chiropractic and sports-injury clinics describe pairing movement assessments with care because it helps connect “what we see” to “what we treat.” (417 Spine, n.d.; Advanced Spine & Posture, n.d.)

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Why Integrative Chiropractic Care Is a Good Match for Movement Screens

A movement screen is only useful if it leads to a smart plan.

Integrative chiropractic care supports that plan because it targets both:

1. hardware (joints, alignment, mobility, tissue tone)

2. software (nervous system control, coordination, motor patterns)

Clinics commonly describe chiropractic care as a way to identify imbalances early, improve coordination/balance, and reduce injury risk. (MyChiroforLife, n.d.; Advanced Spine & Posture, n.d.)

And when chiropractic care is integrated with sports medicine thinking, it often emphasizes:

• prevention

• biomechanics

• recovery

• personalized programming
  (Dallas Accident & Injury Rehab, n.d.)

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Step-by-Step: How a Movement Finding Turns Into Injury Prevention

Here’s what prevention can look like when done well.

Step 1: Identify the movement fault (before it hurts)

For example:

• A runner shows pelvic drop and hip rotation on one side

• A lifter shows poor hip hinge and overloads the lower back

• An overhead athlete shows limited thoracic rotation and shoulder compensation

This is the “early warning system” part. (Stanlick Chiropractic, 2025; The KC Chiro, n.d.)

Step 2: Confirm what is driving it

A skilled integrative provider looks for common root causes:

• restricted joint motion (spine, hips, ankles, ribs)

• muscle tightness or trigger points

• weak stabilizers (deep core, glute med, lower trap)

• poor breathing/bracing habits under load

Step 3: Restore motion where motion is missing

If a joint is restricted, movement quality drops. Care may include:

• spinal or extremity adjustments to improve joint mobility

• mobilization techniques

• targeted stretching plans

Chiropractic sites often describe restoring mobility and correcting misalignments to support healthier movement patterns. (417 Spine, n.d.; Advanced Spine & Posture, n.d.)

Step 4: Reduce tissue overload and improve “slide and glide”

Soft tissue work may help calm down overworked areas, such as:

• hip flexors

• calves

• hamstrings

• thoracolumbar fascia

• pec minor/upper traps (in overhead athletes)

This matters because tight, irritated tissue changes mechanics and can keep compensations alive.

Step 5: Rebuild the pattern with corrective exercise

This is where athletes win long-term.

Corrective work often includes:

• glute activation and hip control drills

• core bracing + breathing integration

• single-leg stability progressions

• scapular control and rotator cuff endurance

• technique coaching for sport and lifting form

Many integrated clinics emphasize that treatment plus exercise creates longer-lasting results than passive care alone. (Dallas Accident & Injury Rehab, n.d.; Hilltop Integrated Healthcare, n.d.)

Step 6: Re-test and progress like training

A good plan is measurable. After a few weeks:

• re-check the movement

• confirm symmetry and control improved

• progress drills toward sport speed and load

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Example: Pelvic Imbalance in Runners (A Common “Hidden” Issue)

KC Chiro gives a clear example: runners can develop overuse problems when pelvic mechanics are off. If the pelvis is not staying balanced, leg mechanics become less symmetrical, which can contribute to issues like shin splints or IT band irritation. Their approach highlights maintaining pelvic balance through regular care, so movement stays more even. (The KC Chiro, n.d.)

In simple terms:
If the pelvis wobbles, the knees and feet often pay the price.

A prevention-focused plan might include:

• hip mobility + lumbar/hip joint motion work

• glute med strengthening and step-down control

• cadence and stride coaching (when appropriate)

• progressive return to mileage changes

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How This Helps Athletes Keep Training Consistent

Injury prevention is not just about avoiding pain. It is about protecting:

• training volume

• technique quality

• recovery cycles

• confidence under load

• performance consistency

When athletes stay available, they improve faster.

Benefits often mentioned across sports chiropractic resources include:

• better balance and coordination

• improved flexibility and mobility

• reduced risk of overuse problems

• improved biomechanics and efficiency
  (MyChiroforLife, n.d.; Stanlick Chiropractic, 2025; Advanced Spine & Posture, n.d.)

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What Dr. Alexander Jimenez Often Emphasizes in Integrative Athlete Care

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, commonly frames performance and injury prevention as a whole-system problem rather than a single-joint one. In his clinical education content, he highlights integrative care that supports:

• mobility and movement quality

• sports medicine-informed recovery

• personalized plans based on function and lifestyle
  (Jimenez, n.d.-a; Jimenez, n.d.-b)

He also describes how chiropractic + sports performance approaches can support athletes and “weekend warriors” by strengthening function and reducing injury risk through a more complete care model. (Jimenez, n.d.-b; Jimenez, n.d.-c)

A practical takeaway from this integrative lens:

• Don’t wait for pain to guide you.

• Use movement quality, symmetry, and control as early signals.

• Build a plan that combines mobility, tissue recovery, and motor control.

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A Simple Athlete Checklist: When to Request a Movement Assessment

You do not need pain to justify an assessment. Consider it if you notice:

• repeated tightness in the same spot after training

• one side always feels “off”

• you keep getting the same type of strain

• form breaks down under fatigue

• you are increasing mileage, intensity, or load

• you are returning after time off or injury

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Safety Note: Screening Is Not a Diagnosis

A functional movement assessment is a screening tool, not a medical diagnosis in itself. If an athlete has:

• sharp pain

• swelling

• numbness/tingling

• weakness

• instability

• symptoms that worsen quickly

…they should get a full clinical evaluation. Many integrative clinics combine screening with more complete exams when needed. (Jimenez, n.d.-d)

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Bottom Line: Prevent the Problem, Don’t Just Treat the Pain

Functional movement assessments help identify early movement faults—before they become pain. Integrative chiropractic care supports prevention by restoring mobility, reducing tissue overload, improving movement control, and building corrective strategies that match the athlete’s sport and training demands.

Done well, this approach can:

• reduce injuries

• reduce missed training time

• improve technique efficiency

• support long-term athletic longevity
  (Stanlick Chiropractic, 2025; The KC Chiro, n.d.; Dallas Accident & Injury Rehab, n.d.; Lin, 2023)

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References

417 Spine. (n.d.). Functional movement assessments for joint pain relief (Springfield, Missouri).

Advanced Spine & Posture. (n.d.). Sports injuries treated with chiropractic care.

AnySpine. (2024, October 1). Enhancing athletic performance: Chiropractic for athletes.

Dallas Accident & Injury Rehab. (n.d.). Integrating chiropractic care with sports medicine.

Hilltop Integrated Healthcare. (n.d.). Chiropractic care for athletes: Enhancing performance and preventing injuries.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.-a). Dr. Alex Jimenez (homepage).

Jimenez, A. (n.d.-b). Sports performance, chiropractic helps!.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.-c). Improve sports performance.

Jimenez, A. (n.d.-d). Initial chiropractic examination.

Lin, A. F. C. (2023). The integration of chiropractic care into the sports industry: A critical review of the literature. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living.

MyChiroforLife. (n.d.). Prevention of sports injuries.

Stanlick Chiropractic. (2025). Sports injury chiropractor: Ultimate guide.

The KC Chiro. (n.d.). The athlete’s guide to preventative chiropractic care: Enhancing performance and longevity.