Sports injuries: getting back to running, golf, surfing, and the gym
By Dr. Jeremiah Carlson, chiropractic physician · Jacksonville, FL · Reviewed Nov 2026
Common problems we see
- Low-back and hip pain in golfers and runners
- Neck and shoulder strain from lifting, swimming, or surfing
- Muscle strains and tight, tender trigger points
- Overuse pain from ramping up training too fast
The first 48–72 hours
- Protect the area and back off what sharply hurts, but avoid total rest.
- Ice or compression can help with comfort and swelling.
- Gradually reintroduce pain-free movement and walking.
Get urgent care for
- A visible deformity, a pop with immediate swelling, or you can’t bear weight
- Numbness, coldness, or color change in a limb
- A head injury: follow concussion protocols and get medically cleared before returning to play
Back to play
We focus on restoring motion, strength, and control with a progressive exercise plan, combined with adjustments, soft-tissue work, or dry needling when appropriate. Return when you can move and load the area without pain. If an injury needs imaging or an orthopedic opinion, we refer you.
How we approach it at our clinic
- Talk and exam. Dr. Carlson takes your history and checks posture, range of motion, reflexes, strength, sensation, and orthopedic tests.
- Imaging only if it’s needed. We don’t take X-rays in our office. If your exam shows you need X-rays, an MRI, or a medical specialist, we refer you out and help coordinate it.
- A plan in plain English: what we found, what we recommend, how often, and how we’ll measure progress.
- Care that fits you, which may include chiropractic adjustments (manipulation or gentler mobilization), chiropractic physiotherapy (corrective exercise), home exercises, lifestyle and workstation advice, and, when appropriate, acupuncture, dry needling, Graston, cupping, laser therapy, or massage therapy.
Questions people ask
Should I see a chiropractor or a doctor for a sports injury?
For fractures, dislocations, head injuries, or major swelling, see a medical doctor or go to urgent care first. For many muscle and joint injuries of the back, neck, and hips, a chiropractic exam is a reasonable starting point, and we refer you when needed.
Can I keep training while I recover?
Often yes, with modifications. Relative rest means staying active in ways that don’t aggravate the injury.
Do you work with golfers and runners?
Yes. We look at how you move in your sport, not just where it hurts.
Want Dr. Carlson to take a look?
Call our Southside clinic or request a call back. If you were in a car crash, take the 60-second check first.