Sports Medicine in Lancaster

Comprehensive Sports Medicine Care

man and woman working out outdoors Whether you’re a youth athlete working toward your personal best, an active adult maintaining your fitness goals, or a weekend warrior pursuing your passion, Lancaster chiropractor Dr. Chad Hedges brings specialized sports medicine expertise to help you perform at your peak. With a postdoctoral Master’s degree in Sports Medicine and certification as a chiropractic sports physician through the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP), Dr. Hedges understands the unique demands athletes place on their bodies—and how to keep you moving forward.

At Peak Performance Sport & Spine, we treat the complete spectrum of athletic needs. Some patients come to us after injury, seeking expert care to return to their sport safely and quickly. Others visit us proactively, recognizing that maintaining optimal body mechanics and addressing minor issues before they become major problems is the smartest path to long-term athletic success. Most of our patients benefit from both approaches throughout their athletic journey, and we’re here to support you through every phase.

Expert Treatment for Common Sports Injuries

Athletic injuries rarely happen in isolation. A seemingly simple ankle sprain can create compensatory movement patterns that stress your knee or lower back. That’s why Dr. Hedges doesn’t just treat your immediate injury—he evaluates how your entire body is functioning and addresses the underlying factors that contributed to your injury in the first place.

We frequently treat sprains and strains, tendonitis, rotator cuff injuries, and overuse conditions that develop when training volume exceeds your body’s recovery capacity. Most sports injuries respond well to conservative care, with many patients experiencing significant improvement within four to eight weeks of treatment. Milder injuries often require only one to three visits, while more complex conditions benefit from our comprehensive approach combining multiple therapies tailored to your specific needs.

Your treatment plan might include chiropractic adjustments to restore proper joint mechanics, physiotherapy exercises to rebuild strength and stability, advanced modalities like infrared light therapy to accelerate healing, or specialized techniques such as cupping and IASTM (instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization) to address fascial restrictions. Each treatment session typically lasts between twenty and sixty minutes, depending on which combination of therapies will benefit you most that day.

patient having shoulder taped

Specialized Credentials You Can Trust

Dr. Hedges has pursued extensive additional training beyond his doctoral degree to serve athletes more effectively. He holds certifications in kinesiology taping, IASTM, cupping, and functional performance evaluation and rehabilitation. As one of the few licensed chiropractors in Ohio with ACR certification through the ACBSP, Dr. Hedges can independently manage youth concussion cases—a crucial credential for parents seeking comprehensive care for young athletes. He’s also SafeSport certified, demonstrating his commitment to creating a safe, supportive environment for athletes of all ages.

This specialized training means you’re working with a practitioner who understands sport-specific movement patterns, the psychological aspects of injury recovery, and the latest evidence-based approaches to getting athletes back in the game. Dr. Hedges has treated professional athletes during his previous practice years in Chicago and Anchorage, bringing that high-level expertise to serve the Lancaster community he calls home.

Performance Enhancement and Recovery

Sports medicine isn’t only about fixing what’s broken. At Peak Performance Sport & Spine, we help athletes optimize their performance through improved mobility, enhanced recovery protocols, and education about injury prevention strategies. Our vasopneumatic compression recovery boots help flush metabolic waste from tired muscles after intense training sessions, reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness and shortening the time between quality workouts. Infrared light therapy supports cellular energy production and improves circulation, giving your body the resources it needs to adapt and grow stronger from training stress.

We also evaluate your movement patterns to identify mechanical inefficiencies that might be limiting your performance or setting you up for future injury. Sometimes small adjustments to how you move can unlock significant improvements in both performance and comfort. Whether you’re chasing a new personal record, recovering from a setback, or simply want to keep doing what you love for years to come, our sports medicine approach gives you the tools and support to reach your goals.

Schedule Your Sports Medicine Consultation

Don’t let pain or injury keep you on the sidelines. Contact Peak Performance Sport & Spine today to experience the difference that specialized sports medicine care can make in your athletic journey.

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