Sports Injury Treatment at the Chiropractor
Sports injury? Discover how a chiropractor supports your recovery, prevents relapse, and gets you moving smoothly again — no referral needed.
What are sports injuries?
A sports injury throws your training and matches into disarray: a pulled muscle, a sprained ankle, or a nagging overuse injury that will not go away. Some injuries appear suddenly, others start with few complaints and get worse over time, as Thuisarts also describes. At Embody Health we support the recovery of sports injuries with chiropractic care, focused on the mobility of your joints and the interaction of muscles and joints.
You do not need a referral from your GP and your first visit costs €39. During that visit we discuss your complaints, examine your musculoskeletal system, and you hear directly whether and how chiropractic can help with your injury. Most Dutch health insurers (partially) reimburse chiropractic care from the supplementary package, often without touching your deductible.
More than 2500 people have been helped by our team over 12 years across our three clinics; our average Google rating is 4.9 out of 5.
Your body is made to move, and chiropractic helps with that. We do not treat only the painful spot: with sports injuries that spot is usually just a compensation, while the actual cause lies elsewhere in the musculoskeletal system. Restrictions in the spine or joints can slow down recovery, because surrounding muscles and tendons are then loaded unevenly. Together with you we work towards a safe return to sport, with attention to loading, technique, and the prevention of injuries.
“Good location, easy to reach and pleasant service. I was helped well by a hugely experienced and kind chiropractor (Steven). Thank you for the wonderful experience and my good recovery. Love, Jodi.”
Symptoms of a sports injury
Sports injuries can show up in different ways. Do you recognize one or more of the following signals?
- pain, stiffness, or swelling after a training or match that does not decrease within a few days
- a nagging overuse injury that returns with every next effort
- reduced strength or mobility in an arm, leg, or joint
- trouble loading an arm or leg, for example limping after an ankle sprain
- the feeling that your body is out of balance because you spare the injury one-sidedly; that is how compensation can arise
- uncertainty about when you can safely play sports again
Did you know most Dutch health insurers (partially) reimburse chiropractic care without using your deductible?
Check your coverageCauses of sports injuries
Sports injuries usually arise from a combination of loading, technique, and recovery time. Common causes are:
- Acute injury: a strain, sprain, or bruise from a sudden movement, collision, or fall.
- Overuse: building up training too quickly or insufficient recovery between efforts.
- Restricted mobility: restrictions in the spine or joints, so that surrounding muscles and tendons are loaded unevenly.
- Wrong technique or posture: an abnormal gait pattern or a poor posture during sports increases the chance of injuries.
- Reduced stability: weak or tired muscles support a joint insufficiently, especially after an earlier injury; balance and coordination play a big role in that.
Our first step: rule out injury safely
Safety comes first at our first visit too. If you suspect a fracture or other structural injury, for example after a fall or collision, we guide you to your GP or emergency care first; medical assessment should also be the first step if you cannot load an arm or leg, or if a joint feels locked or unstable. Once serious injury is ruled out, we assess whether chiropractic care can support your recovery: that is where we can help.
Your chiropractor is a primary-contact practitioner — sports injuries like yours is what we assess daily, often before anyone else does. That is exactly what we're trained for: we screen for the rare serious causes of sports injuries, and most of the time the answer is good news. Most sports injuries are harmless and well treatable. Only 3 signals are worth flagging on your own:
- a visible deformity or a suspected fracture, for example after a fall or collision
- inability to load the affected leg or arm
- a joint that is locked or feels unstable
These deserve attention the same day. Contact us — we have 24/7 telephone availability; our front desk will notify the chiropractor right away if it looks urgent, and we'll assess your sports injuries and tell you honestly whether it needs hospital care; you need no GP referral and no detour. Not sure? Talk it through with your GP or with us — but we're here, and we'll screen it with you.
Chiropractic treatment for sports injuries
Chiropractors are university-trained specialists in mechanical and neurological problems of the spine and the musculoskeletal system. Cochrane reviews of spinal manipulation for neck and back complaints show that this approach can reduce pain and improve function, without serious side effects. That matches what we see in practice with athletes: restrictions in the spine or joints can slow down recovery, and restoring mobility supports an even loading during rehabilitation.
Our approach is personal and focused on function. During your first visit we examine your complaint and your musculoskeletal system as a whole: the mobility of the spine and the involved joints, plus your strength and function. With gentle, precise corrections we restore the mobility of restrictions; depending on your preference and condition we use classic manipulation techniques or gentle instrument-assisted methods. Then we draw up a plan together for a safe return to sport: how do you build up the loading, which exercises support your recovery, and what do you watch out for to prevent a relapse?
Your first visit costs €39; a single follow-up consultation costs €65 and a consultation in a recovery package €55. Check what your health insurance covers and the prices.
What you can do yourself with a sports injury?
Keep moving within the pain limit; complete rest often slows down recovery. A sprained ankle or pulled muscle benefits from cooling with ice, a compression bandage, and elevating the leg, and afterwards a careful build-up of loading. Build up your training gradually and allow enough recovery between efforts, so that your musculoskeletal system functions optimally and the chance of a new injury becomes smaller.
Athletes under our care often tell us they can steer their recovery better: less uncertainty about what they can and cannot do, and clear agreements about the build-up to full loading. Book a first visit and we will assess together whether chiropractic care fits your injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a sports injuries treatment cost?
Your first visit costs €39. Follow-up consultations are €65 (single) or €55 per consult in a package; child consultations are €35. Most Dutch health insurers (partially) cover chiropractic care from the supplementary package.
Can a chiropractor help with recovery from a sports injury?
Sports injuries often go together with restrictions in the spine or joints, so that muscles and tendons are loaded unevenly during recovery. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring mobility and function, so your body can recover optimally. Whether chiropractic care fits your specific injury, we assess during your first visit.
When can I start playing sports again after my injury?
The right moment to restart differs per injury and per person. We look at your mobility, strength, and pain complaints to plan a safe build-up to full loading together with you. That way you know what to watch out for during the first training sessions and how to prevent a relapse.
How can chiropractic help prevent injuries?
A supple musculoskeletal system distributes loading better. By keeping the mobility of the spine and joints at a healthy level and looking at your posture and movement pattern, we help reduce the risk of overuse and recurring injuries. During your first visit we look at where the gain lies for you.
Can I come straight after a strain or sprain?
With most muscle and ligament injuries, chiropractic care can support recovery. But if you suspect a fracture, see a visible deformity, or cannot load your ankle or leg, go to your GP or emergency care first. During your first visit we carefully assess whether chiropractic care fits your situation.
Does chiropractic also work for recurring or chronic sports complaints?
Recurring complaints often arise from a pattern that keeps disrupting recovery, such as restricted mobility or uneven loading. Chiropractic care addresses that underlying pattern and gives practical advice on build-up and prevention. What plays a role in your complaints, we map out during the first visit.
Sources
- NHS: Sprains and strains — first aid and recovery (accessed 28-08-2026)
- Cochrane review: manipulation and mobilisation for neck disorders — less pain and better mobility
- Cochrane review: spinal manipulative therapy for chronic low back pain — may slightly reduce pain and improve function, no serious side effects
Next time you search, get an answer this clear again — add Embody to your preferred sources.
