Sports Medicine

Sports injury treatment and performance care

Dr. Brandon Baldwin has worked with medal-winning Olympic athletes and served as team chiropractor for professional sports teams. That experience shapes how he treats every patient — whether you are a competitive athlete, a weekend runner, or someone who just wants to get back to the gym without pain.

Sports chiropractic is not just about treating injuries after they happen. It is about optimizing how your body moves, identifying problems before they become injuries, and keeping you performing at your best.

Common sports injuries we treat

• Tennis and golfer's elbow — lateral and medial epicondylitis caused by repetitive gripping, swinging, or throwing motions
• Rotator cuff injuries — shoulder pain from overuse, impingement, or acute strain common in overhead sports
• IT band syndrome — lateral knee pain common in runners, cyclists, and hikers, caused by tightness and friction of the iliotibial band
• Plantar fasciitis — heel and arch pain that affects runners, basketball players, and anyone on their feet for extended periods
• Ankle sprains — ligament injuries from rolling or twisting the ankle during activity
• Low back pain in athletes — disc injuries, facet irritation, and muscle strains from lifting, twisting, or impact
• Neck injuries — cervical sprains and strains from contact sports, cycling crashes, or skiing falls
• Knee pain — patellofemoral syndrome, meniscal irritation, and ligament strains
• Muscle strains and pulls — hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, and calf muscles commonly affected by explosive or repetitive movements
• Achilles tendinopathy — chronic pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon from overtraining or improper loading

Denver's active population

Denver's lifestyle creates a unique set of sports medicine needs. The running and cycling culture here is exceptional — from training on the Cherry Creek Trail to racing at altitude. Skiing and snowboarding bring a seasonal wave of knee, back, and shoulder injuries every winter. CrossFit, climbing, and recreational sports round out the picture.

Altitude adds a factor that many athletes underestimate. Training and competing above 5,000 feet places additional cardiovascular and musculoskeletal demands on the body. Recovery takes longer, dehydration happens faster, and the margin between peak performance and overtraining narrows. Understanding these dynamics is part of treating athletes in Denver effectively.

How sports chiropractic differs

General chiropractic care focuses primarily on the spine. Sports chiropractic extends that to the entire kinetic chain — shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. An athlete's injury is rarely isolated to a single joint; it is the result of how the whole body moves together.

Dr. Baldwin's evaluation looks at biomechanics, movement patterns, muscle imbalances, and joint mobility throughout the body. Treatment combines:

• Spinal and extremity adjustments — restore proper joint mechanics throughout the kinetic chain
• Soft tissue therapy — Graston technique, active release, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release to address adhesions, scar tissue, and muscle tightness
• Shockwave therapy — break down calcifications and stimulate healing in chronic tendon injuries like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and tennis elbow
• Class IV laser therapy — reduce inflammation and accelerate tissue repair for acute injuries and post-training recovery
• Rehabilitation and prehabilitation — targeted exercises to strengthen weak links, correct imbalances, and prevent future injuries
• Acupuncture — accelerate recovery, reduce pain, and manage inflammation between training sessions

Performance optimization

You don't have to be injured to benefit from sports chiropractic. When the spine and joints are properly aligned and moving efficiently, the nervous system functions optimally — which translates to better coordination, faster reaction times, and improved power output. This is why professional and Olympic athletes have relied on chiropractic care as part of their training regimens for decades.

Regular chiropractic checkups can identify joint restrictions and muscle imbalances before they become injuries, keeping you training consistently rather than cycling between injury and recovery.

Is sports chiropractic covered by insurance?

Most insurance plans cover chiropractic evaluation and treatment for sports injuries. Our team verifies your benefits before treatment begins. We also offer self-pay options for athletes who want performance care outside of an injury diagnosis.

Contact us at 303.647.9196 or Schedule Appointment to schedule an evaluation — whether you are dealing with an injury or looking to improve your athletic performance.