The esports industry is rapidly growing, and it’s easy to see why: it offers a fresh form of entertainment that appeals to a new generation with a passion for video games and exciting competition. But as innovations emerge, health concerns also arise.
Esports players often face issues like physical inactivity, high levels of sedentary behavior, stress, sleep problems, musculoskeletal pain, overuse injuries, and metabolic issues. Addressing some of these physical challenges requires effective and ongoing treatment, which chiropractic care can provide.
This blog explores the aspects of esports-related health issues and the many benefits of chiropractic care for esports gamers.
A recent study revealed the injury risks associated with professional gaming. The survey revealed that 56% of gamers experienced eye fatigue, 42% neck and back pain, 36% wrist pain, and 32% hand pain. These statistics indicate that overuse injuries are prevalent in a field like esports.
What causes these injuries?
Addressing these factors is crucial to proactively prevent progressive injuries that can lead to long-term health complications.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is an overuse injury affecting the wrist and thumb tendons due to repetitive motions. It causes painful swelling and numbness around the affected area, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks like gripping or pinching.
CTS occurs when excessive use of your hands and specific gaming grips during long sessions puts pressure on the median nerve in the wrist's carpal tunnel, a narrow space surrounded by bones and ligaments. These motions cause paresthesia-like symptoms like numbness and tingling and affect motor functions like aiming accuracy or typing speed.
Prolonged sitting in an uncomfortable position with poor posture can trigger neck and shoulder strain. Slouching or sitting awkwardly puts undue stress on the muscles and ligaments, causing fatigue and tension. If left unaddressed, neck and shoulder pain can lead to chronic conditions like cervical disc bulges or herniations.
Rapid micro-movements like twitch aiming can place significant stress on the tendons and cause them to swell around the elbows. Additionally, intense gaming can trigger muscle strains, creating tiny tears in the muscle fibers and resulting in forearm pain, fatigue, and discomfort.
Constant clicking, rapid movements, and prolonged gripping when gaming can strain the elbow joints. Similarly, the knees become stiff from static posture for extended periods, leading to discomfort and restricted mobility when a player stands up.
Without adequate recovery time, these motions can lead to joint stiffness, stress fractures, and inflammatory reactions that cause conditions like tendonitis or bursitis, hindering your performance.
If left untreated, these injuries may result in chronic pain, significant movement restrictions, or other long-term complications. Early gaming injury prevention and treatment can help manage symptoms and prevent the condition from escalating.
Chiropractic care presents a holistic solution to addressing musculoskeletal and nervous system health. This treatment recognizes that the body operates as an interconnected system, where spine or joint misalignments can impact overall function and well-being.
Several techniques, including spinal adjustments, ergonomic advice, and posture correction, help address these misalignments and support recovery.
A spinal adjustment for esports athletes involves working on the affected joint to improve mobility, alleviate pain, and normalize muscle and nerve function. Chiropractors perform a quick, controlled push to the joint, stretching it just beyond its normal range without causing harm. This adjustment reduces strain on joints or muscles, relaxes tight tissues, and promotes better blood circulation.
Research has proven the potential of soft tissue therapy in effectively treating musculoskeletal disorders. Esports players can benefit from therapies like massage, myofascial release, instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, active release therapy, and other treatments that reduce muscle knots, increase blood flow, and promote relaxation.
It's easy to neglect proper gaming setups and seating posture when gaming. A study found that players who practiced good sitting habits and took regular breaks experienced less discomfort in their backs and necks. Chiropractic care supports this approach and offers ergonomic counseling to reduce strain in your body, from using a high-quality chair to customizing your setup to fit your body's needs.
Esports health tips often include corrective exercises tailored to strengthen core muscles and maintain proper posture. These may include agility training, mobility drills, resistance exercises, and simple movement patterns or stretches. Chiropractors will assess you before developing a treatment plan, so the exercises and goals will vary for each individual.
Chiropractic care offers posture correction for gamers who spend long hours sitting. It addresses symptoms and underlying causes, helping you feel more comfortable. When your spine is in the right position, it also helps your nervous system work better. Your brain can communicate more effectively with the rest of your body, leading to improved health and increased energy.
Chiropractic care effectively addresses the physical strain of long gaming sessions using manual therapies and adjustments. These relieve tension and misalignments, particularly in the neck, shoulder, and back areas.
Being pain-free supports your ability to think clearly and perform at your best. Chiropractic care reduces physical pain and tension, allowing you to stay calm, concentrate more effectively, and make better decisions.
One chiropractic session can make you feel better, but regular visits can help prevent RSIs from developing. A chiropractor for gamers can enhance joint mobility and muscle flexibility through adjustments, therapies, and exercises. Gaming injury prevention reduces the risk of wear and tear, creating a more resilient body capable of handling gaming demands.
Flexibility is crucial for optimal gaming performance. It allows you to achieve a greater range of motion while minimizing the risk of injury. Chiropractors apply targeted adjustments and exercises to promote muscle elasticity and joint mobility. With flexible joints and muscles, you can adapt better to physical demands and improve coordination.
While esports may not seem physically demanding, the intense focus on actions like clicking, gripping, and quick movements, along with a lack of physical activity, can quickly strain the joints and muscles in your body. These can lead to persistent pain, discomfort, and injuries that may occur because you're not sitting or standing correctly or misusing your muscles.
Instead of surgery or medications, choosing chiropractic care for esports gamers offers a more comprehensive solution. It teaches you proper posture, essential exercises, and ergonomic setups and employs noninvasive techniques to alleviate pain and enhance overall health.
Seeking chiropractic intervention for your pain? Reach out to us at North East Chiropractic Center. Our doctors specialize in the most effective chiropractic techniques for various conditions related to esports and create tailored treatment plans for successful outcomes.
Monday 8:30am – 6:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am – 6:00pm
Thursday 8:30am – 6:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 12:30pm
Sunday Closed
