Chiropractic first visit
$49
- Consultation
- Full exam and movement screen
- First chiropractic treatment
Athletic
Sports injury care in Oceanside & Carlsbad
Updated October 11, 2026
Acute and overuse injuries from sport — strains, sprains, tendinopathies, joint impingements, and stress-related pain.
Quick answer
Can a chiropractor help sports Injuries?
Acute and overuse injuries from sport — strains, sprains, tendinopathies, joint impingements, and stress-related pain. Surfers, runners, lifters, golfers, and weekend warriors all hit the same wall: an injury that doesn't quite go away with rest. New patients start with the $49 special: consultation, exam and first treatment in Oceanside or Carlsbad.
New patient offer
$49
First visit
About 45 to 60 minutes
Offices
Oceanside + Carlsbad (Bressi Ranch)
Insurance
PI and MedPay accepted. Most health plans not accepted.
Athletic
Sports Injuries
Surfers, runners, lifters, golfers, and weekend warriors all hit the same wall: an injury that doesn't quite go away with rest. Most sports injuries are mechanical — and mechanical problems need mechanical solutions, not just time.
We treat sports injuries with hands-on care, shockwave therapy for tendons, and rehab built around your sport. The goal isn't just pain-free — it's stronger than before.
Is this you?
Common sports injury symptoms
- Pain only during or after activity
- Stiffness in the morning that loosens with movement
- Joint clicking, catching, or locking
- Swelling around a joint or tendon
- Weakness or instability
- Recurring pain in the same area
- Reduced performance or range of motion
New patient special
Your first visit.Just $49.
Pick your first visit at our Oceanside or Carlsbad office. Same-day appointments most weekdays.
Shockwave first visit
$75
- Consultation
- Exam
- First shockwave therapy treatment
New patients only. Same-day first treatment when appropriate. Personal injury and auto accident claims are billed on lien instead. Available at both offices. See details
Causes
What causes sports injuries
Sports injuries fall into two camps: acute trauma (a fall, a sudden twist, a contact hit) and overuse (the same motion done too many times without enough recovery). Both need accurate diagnosis — the treatment paths are very different.
We see overuse injuries far more often than acute ones, especially in endurance and repetitive-motion sports like running, surfing, swimming, and golf.
Risk factors
Risk factors for sports injuries
- Sudden increase in training volume
- Poor warm-up habits
- Previous injury at the same site
- Age 30+ with sport-specific demands
- Strength imbalances between sides
- Limited hip or shoulder mobility
- Sleep deprivation
- Returning too soon after illness
Diagnosis
How we diagnose sports injuries
We diagnose movement, not just structure. Knowing the injured tissue matters — but knowing why it got injured matters more, because that's what prevents re-injury.
Your first visit
What your first visitlooks like.
Consult
We review your history and goals before any hands-on work.
Exam
Posture, range of motion, joint mechanics and orthopedic or neurological tests.
First treatment
When the exam clears you, your first treatment happens the same visit.
Before you arrive
When to get seen
When to seek care for a sports injury
See a provider if pain persists more than 7–10 days, recurs every time you train, or causes a noticeable change in how you move.
Seek urgent evaluation if you have any of these:
- Inability to bear weight after injury
- Audible "pop" with sudden swelling
- Visible joint deformity
- Loss of pulse, sensation, or temperature in a limb
- Severe swelling that worsens over hours
Treatment
How we treat sports injuries
Prevention
How to prevent sports re-injury
Tips
- Progress training load by no more than 10% per week
- Always warm up sport-specifically — not just static stretching
- Strength-train year-round, not just in-season
- Don't skip recovery days
- Address strength asymmetries early
- Replace shoes regularly
Your doctors
Doctors ateach office.
Oceanside
- Dr. Derek PotvinDoctor of Chiropractic — Oceanside & CarlsbadView profile
- Dr. Aram ProudmanDoctor of Chiropractic — Oceanside & CarlsbadView profile
Carlsbad (Bressi Ranch)
- Dr. Evan HamiltonDoctor of Chiropractic — Carlsbad / Bressi RanchView profile
- Dr. Derek PotvinDoctor of Chiropractic — Carlsbad & OceansideView profile
- Dr. Anthony SalmonDoctor of Chiropractic — Carlsbad / Bressi RanchView profile
- Dr. Aram ProudmanDoctor of Chiropractic — Carlsbad & OceansideView profile
FAQ
Questions about sports injuries
Do I need to stop training entirely?
Usually no. We modify, not eliminate. Most athletes keep training in some form while recovering.
Is shockwave really effective for tendons?
Yes. Shockwave is one of the most evidence-supported treatments for chronic tendinopathies that haven't responded to rest or rehab alone.
How long until I can return to sport?
Depends on the tissue and severity. Most overuse injuries respond in 4–8 weeks; ligament injuries take longer.
Do you work with surfers and runners specifically?
Yes — North County is full of both, and they're a large part of our practice.
Will I need imaging?
Only when it changes the treatment plan. We don't order imaging by default.
What are common symptoms of sports injuries?
Common symptoms include: pain only during or after activity; stiffness in the morning that loosens with movement; joint clicking, catching, or locking; swelling around a joint or tendon; weakness or instability; recurring pain in the same area, and reduced performance or range of motion.
When should I get sports injuries checked urgently?
Seek urgent evaluation if you have: inability to bear weight after injury; audible "pop" with sudden swelling; visible joint deformity; loss of pulse, sensation, or temperature in a limb, and severe swelling that worsens over hours.
How can I help prevent sports injuries?
These habits help: progress training load by no more than 10% per week; always warm up sport-specifically — not just static stretching; strength-train year-round, not just in-season; don't skip recovery days; address strength asymmetries early, and replace shoes regularly.
Which payment information should I confirm?
Ask the office to check your specific MedPay or personal injury claim. Pacific Spine & Rehab does not participate with most health plans.
Keep reading
Relatedcare and conditions.
Athletic
Get a clear plan for your sports injuries
New-patient visit includes exam, diagnosis, and a written treatment plan — same-day appointments most weekdays at our Oceanside and Carlsbad offices.