Whether you’re sprinting down the track, hitting the gym for a PR, or competing on the field, staying active is part of who you are. But with an active lifestyle often comes the occasional setback—aches, strains, or injuries that can keep you from doing what you love. That’s where sports-focused chiropractic care comes in.
At Skare Spine & Performance in Rochester, MN, we specialize in helping athletes and active individuals not just recover from injuries, but return to sport stronger, more resilient, and more confident in their movement. Sports chiropractic care is more than just “getting adjusted”—it’s a strategic, hands-on approach designed to get to the root of the problem, restore optimal function, and help you perform at your best.
What Is Sports Chiropractic Care?
Sports chiropractic care focuses on optimizing movement, reducing pain, and restoring performance through a combination of hands-on treatment and targeted rehabilitation. Unlike traditional chiropractic care, which often centers around symptom relief or just an adjustment, sports chiropractic takes a movement-based and performance-driven approach.
This includes:
● Thorough assessment of joint mobility, stability, and movement patterns
● Manual therapies such as adjustments, soft tissue work, and dry needling
● Functional rehabilitation to retrain proper movement and strength
● Return-to-play strategies tailored to the athlete’s sport and goals
The goal isn’t just to feel better—it’s to move better, so you can keep training, competing, and living without limitations.
Common Sports Injuries Addressed by Sports Chiropractic Care
Ankle Sprains and Instability
Ankle sprains are among the most common in both competitive and recreational athletes. Beyond pain and swelling, they can create lingering instability that affects the entire kinetic chain. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring joint mobility, improving proprioception, and rehabbing the ankle to prevent future sprains. Dry needling is also a common therapy for ankle sprains that help speed up the healing process.
Knee Pain (Patellar Tendinopathy, IT Band Syndrome)
Whether it’s “runner’s knee” or jumper’s knee, knee pain often stems from poor mechanics elsewhere in the body. Our exam helps identify dysfunctional movement patterns, improves hip and ankle mobility, and uses soft-tissue therapy and corrective exercises to offload stress from the knee.
Low Back Pain and Hip Dysfunction
For lifters, runners, and rotational athletes, the low back and hips are common problem areas. Chiropractic adjustments, DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization), and strength integration help restore stability and relieve pain so athletes can train without restriction.
Shoulder Injuries (Rotator Cuff, Impingement, Instability)
Shoulders take a beating in throwing, overhead lifting, and swimming. Our sports chiropractic care addresses scapular control, joint mechanics, and muscle imbalances to improve function and reduce pain, often avoiding the need for more invasive treatments.
Tendon and Overuse Injuries
Tendon irritation—from the Achilles to the elbow—can sideline an athlete for weeks if not addressed correctly. We focus on identifying the causes of overuse injuries and use shockwave therapy and eccentric loading strategies to help tendons adapt and heal.
Plantar Fasciitis and Foot Pain
Foot and arch pain can affect runners, weightlifters, and everyday movers. Chiropractic treatment may include soft tissue therapy, foot/ankle mobilization, shockwave therapy, and strengthening strategies to restore function and relieve pain.
Neck and Upper Back Tightness
Especially common in weightlifters, desk workers who train hard, and contact athletes, cervical and thoracic restrictions can limit movement and lead to headaches or nerve irritation. Sports chiropractic work targets both the spine and the surrounding musculature to improve mobility and function.
Why Sports Chiropractic Care Works for Athletes and Active Individuals
It’s Rooted in Functional Movement
Athletes need more than symptom relief—they need their bodies to work as systems. Sports chiropractic care looks beyond the site of pain to identify dysfunctions in movement patterns, joint mobility, and stability that may be contributing to the injury.
It’s Active, Not Passive
While manual therapy is important, lasting results come from active rehabilitation. We want you to have an active part in your care. As a sports chiropractor, Dr. Nate Skare incorporates corrective exercise, mobility work, and progressive loading to create strength and resilience where it matters most.
It Helps You Return to Play—Faster and Smarter
Sports chiropractic focuses on efficient recovery and smart progression. The goal isn’t just getting you out of pain, but making sure you return stronger, with better movement mechanics and lower risk of re-injury.
It Integrates with Your Training
Because we work with athletes every day, we understand training loads, periodization, and how to keep you moving while you recover. That means fewer unnecessary rest periods and more intelligent programming around your injury.
It’s Personalized to Your Goals
No two injuries—or athletes—are the same. Your treatment plan is tailored to your sport, your body, and your goals, whether that’s returning to a marathon, hitting a lifting PR, or simply staying active and pain-free.
Our Approach to Sports Chiropractic Care at Skare Spine & Performance
At Skare Spine & Performance, we combine chiropractic care with strength, movement, and performance principles to create a comprehensive, athlete-first recovery plan.
Here’s what sets our approach apart:
Comprehensive Assessment
We don’t just chase pain—we assess how your entire body moves. This includes movement screens, joint mobility testing, strength and stability assessments, and sport-specific evaluations. By identifying the “why” behind the injury, we can build a smarter treatment plan.
Hands-On Treatment
We use evidence-based techniques such as spinal and extremity adjustments, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, and shockwave therapy to restore mobility, reduce pain, and kickstart the healing process.
Functional Rehabilitation
We believe movement is medicine. That’s why we incorporate targeted rehab exercises—like DNS exercises, BFR (Blood Flow Restriction) training, and strength work—to build resilience and help your body adapt to the demands of your sport.
Return-to-Sport Programming
Our treatment doesn’t stop when the pain does. We help you transition back into training with a structured plan that includes load management, strength progressions, and performance optimization strategies.
Athlete Education and Empowerment
We’re big believers in teaching you how to understand your body. You’ll leave each visit with a clear plan, strategies to manage your injury, and confidence in your recovery process.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery
Whether you’re dealing with an ankle sprain, knee pain, or chronic overuse injury, sports chiropractic care can be a game changer for your recovery and performance. Don’t settle for temporary fixes or rest alone—get a plan designed for active people like you.
If you’re in Rochester, MN, and ready to get back to doing what you love, schedule your first appointment with Skare Spine & Performance today.
Nate Skare
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