How Chiropractic Treatment Can Prepare Your Body for a Seasonal Sport Like Hockey

For many residents in Langley and the surrounding Fraser Valley, the transition from summer to fall signals one very specific thing: it is time to sharpen the skates.

However, there is a physical reality that often gets overlooked in the rush to tape up the stick. For the past few months, your body has likely been adapted to summer activities, perhaps golf, hiking, or simply relaxing on the patio.

Hockey requires a completely different set of biomechanics, and throwing your body onto the ice without proper mechanical preparation is a recipe for injury.

This is where chiropractic care becomes a secret weapon. It is not just about fixing a sore back after a game; it is about tuning your body before the puck drops to ensure you can handle the physical demands of the season.

Treatment Optimizes Hip Mobility and Pelvic Alignment

The skating stride is a unique movement pattern that we do not replicate in our daily lives. Walking and running are linear motions, but skating requires pushing out to the side (abduction) and utilizing significant hip extension.

If you have a desk job in Surrey or spend your commute sitting in traffic on Highway 1, your hip flexors are likely tight and shortened. When you hit the ice with tight hips, your body tries to compensate. It steals range of motion from your lower back to make up for what your hips cannot do. This is why "hockey back", that dull, aching pain in the lumbar region, is so common in the first few weeks of the season.

A chiropractor focuses on the function of the sacroiliac (SI) joints and the alignment of the pelvis. By ensuring these structures are moving freely, we allow your hips to do the work they were designed for.

Benefits of optimized pelvic mechanics include:

• A longer, more powerful stride with less effort.
• Reduced strain on the groin and adductor muscles.
• Decreased risk of lower back spasms during play.
• Better balance when transitioning from forward to backward skating.

When your pelvis is aligned, force transfers efficiently from your legs through your core. You aren't fighting your own anatomy to get down the ice.

The Mechanics of the Shot: Protecting the Spine From Asymmetrical Torque

Hockey is fundamentally an asymmetrical sport. You shoot left or you shoot right. This means that hundreds, perhaps thousands of times a season, you are twisting your spine violently in one direction.

This rotation should primarily occur in your thoracic spine (the mid-back). However, the thoracic spine is notorious for becoming stiff, especially in our modern world of hunching over phones and computers.

When the mid-back is locked up, the body once again looks for a workaround. It forces the lower back (lumbar spine) to twist. The problem is that the lumbar spine is built for stability, not rotation. Forcing it to twist repeatedly under load can lead to disc herniations and significant nerve pain.

Chiropractic treatment addresses this by mobilizing the thoracic spine. through specific adjustments and soft tissue work, we can restore the natural rotation of the upper back.

This approach helps in several ways:

• It allows you to generate more torque and power in your shot.
• It protects the vulnerable discs in the lower back from shearing forces.
• It improves your ability to shoulder check and see the ice, keeping your head on a swivel.

Preparing For A Season Without the Sidelines

Hockey is more than just a game for us in British Columbia; it is a way to stay active, social, and competitive during the dark winter months. The goal is to play the entire season, from the first practice to the final playoff game, without being sidelined by a preventable injury.

Waiting until you are limping out of the dressing room to see a chiropractor is a reactive strategy. By incorporating chiropractic care into your pre-season routine, you are taking a proactive stance on your health. You are ensuring that your hips, spine, and nervous system are operating at their peak potential.

At Benefit Chiropractic & Wellness, our goal is simple: to make your recovery smoother, your care more coordinated, and your health journey less stressful. By working together - and sometimes alongside other trusted providers in the community - we can help you move better, feel better, and live better.