Find a Good Sports Chiropractor: 5 factors to ensure you get back to doing what you love

By Dr. Michael Day, D.C. | Sports Chiropractor – Greenville, SC

Whether you're an athlete recovering from injury or someone who simply wants to move better, finding the right sports chiropractor can be the difference between temporary relief and long-term performance.

Dr. Michael Day, D.C. has spent over 16 years working with athletes of all levels—from weekend warriors to elite competitors. At Mountain Movement Center in Greenville, SC, he’s helped thousands regain confidence in their movement through a blend of chiropractic care, functional therapy, and movement optimization.

With chiropractors now on staff in the NFL, NBA, PGA, and Olympic teams, sports chiropractic care has earned its place as a trusted, results-driven solution.

Here’s what to look for when choosing the right sports chiropractor in your area:

1. Their Treatments Are Diverse and Customized

If your chiropractor delivers the same exact adjustment to every person, that’s a red flag.

A skilled sports chiropractor adapts treatment based on your injury, movement pattern, and sport. They combine:

• Spinal and extremity adjustments
• Myofascial release & soft tissue therapy
• Functional movement assessments
• RockTape / Kinesiotape
• Tool-assisted muscle work (Graston, IASTM)
• Rehab exercises & mobility drills

Some sports chiropractors work closely with physical therapists, massage therapists, or athletic trainers. Others (like at Mountain Movement) offer these approaches under one roof. Either way, your treatment should be part of a broader performance or recovery strategy—not just joint manipulation.

2. They Live What They Teach: A Passion for Movement

A great sports chiropractor doesn’t just talk the talk—they move, train, stretch, and understand what it means to live in an athletic body.

Dr. Day brings first-hand knowledge from both personal movement experience and years of treating athletes on and off the field. He has even treated athletes in their sport-specific positions—on the mat, in mid-rotation, or in the pain-inducing movement itself—to unlock stubborn restrictions.

3. They Deeply Understand Biomechanics & Sport-Specific Demands

Every sport has a signature strain pattern.

• Golfers rotate forcefully in one direction, loading the hips and lower back
• Surfers overwork their shoulders and necks through constant paddling
• Lifters often deal with hip imbalances and lower back stiffness
• Runners tend to experience IT band tension and gluteal inhibition

A great sports chiropractor knows these patterns and how to build treatment plans that address them before they lead to injury.

4. Creative Problem-Solving in Real Time

Cookie-cutter care doesn’t cut it in sports.

Dr. Day once treated an athlete on all fours to recreate the position where pain occurred—only then did the fascia unwind and healing take place. Sometimes, full-body taping from wrist to shoulder is needed to retrain an athlete’s spiral sling and restore shoulder mechanics.

Creative solutions = better results.

5. Enthusiasm, Clarity, and a Clear Plan

Your sports chiropractor should be energized by your goals and ready to get you back on the field, court, or trail. Look for someone who:

• Clearly explains what’s going on
• Gives you “homework” (mobility drills, exercises, breathwork, etc.)
• Refers you out when needed
• Tracks your progress through movement—not just pain scores

A great doctor isn't just adjusting bones—they're rebuilding your movement from the ground up.

Trusted Techniques Often Used in Sports Chiropractic

Look for these methods when searching for your provider:

• Active Release Technique (ART)
• Functional Movement Screen (FMS)
• McGill protocols for low back pain
• Foundation Training
• DNS (Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization)
• Graston / IASTM / FAKTR
• RockTape / Kinesiotape
• Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy
• Leon Chaitow breathing techniques
• Craig Liebenson movement rehab
• Tim Brown Taping & IntelliSkin protocols
• NKT (Neurokinetic Therapy)
• Stop Chasing Pain (Perry Nickelston methods)

Ready to Move Better, Heal Faster, and Perform Stronger?

At Mountain Movement Center, we blend chiropractic care, muscle therapy, movement instruction, and functional testing to help you regain confidence in your body. Whether you're training for your next event or just want to walk pain-free again, we’re here to help you move mountains.

👉 Book your sports chiropractic assessment now
👉 Learn more about our movement-based approach

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