At Truth Family Chiropractic, we specialize in sports chiropractic care tailored for athletes at every level—from high school competitors and weekend warriors to national-level performers.
Located in West Des Moines, IA, our clinic helps you recover faster, move with better control, and prevent injuries that disrupt your training or competition schedule.
Our chiropractic approach supports:
- Proprioception and balance — enhancing control and coordination
- Motor system performance — improving muscle activation and reaction time
- Post-injury recovery — accelerating healing from sprains, strains, or post-surgical rehab
- Injury prevention — reducing re-injury risk during high-intensity training cycles
With experience treating athletes under elite physical demands—including past collaborations with USA Wrestling and other national organizations—our team brings real-world insight into performance recovery, injury resilience, and athletic optimization.
Everything we do is built around one goal: helping your body perform the way it was designed to—consistently and confidently.
If you’re ready to recover faster and move better, schedule your sports performance evaluation today—no referral needed.
Book Your First Exam Today
Why wait to begin feeling relief? Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
How Our Athlete Care Plan Works
1. Get The Truth
Stop searching for answers. Finally, get the truth about what’s causing your health problems so that you can create a plan to get your life back.
2. Get Real Solutions
Based on your health goals and your doctor’s findings, we’ll customize a plan of attack that will give you the solutions you’ve been desperately searching for.
3. Live A Life Without Limitations
Unleash your full potential and have the impact and purpose God intended for you.
Enhancing Proprioception and Balance Through Chiropractic Care
Proprioception, our body’s sense of spatial awareness, is a critical component of athletic performance. It allows athletes to move with precision, react quickly, and maintain balance, even during intense physical activities. Chiropractic care plays a vital role in enhancing proprioception by improving joint function and alignment, which supports the body’s overall sense of positioning and balance.
1. Chiropractic and the Nervous System: Chiropractic adjustments focus on aligning the spine and ensuring that the central nervous system functions optimally. Misalignments, or subluxations, in the spine can disrupt nerve communication, affecting proprioception and balance. By correcting these misalignments, chiropractors help maintain the nervous system’s ability to communicate effectively with muscles and joints, enhancing an athlete’s body awareness.
2. Refining Muscle Control and Reaction: Regular adjustments not only improve spinal health but also positively influence the way muscles and joints respond to movement. Better joint alignment leads to smoother, more coordinated movements, allowing athletes to respond quickly to changes in their environment, whether it’s a rapid change in direction or an unexpected obstacle.
3. Injury Prevention: Improved proprioception also helps athletes prevent injuries. When the body is more attuned to its positioning, it’s easier to avoid overextension, awkward landings, or other movements that commonly lead to injuries. Chiropractic care enhances proprioceptive feedback, which improves both balance and coordination, ultimately contributing to better injury prevention.
The Brain and the Motor System
Understanding how chiropractic care supports the brain and motor system is key to appreciating its role in athletic performance and recovery. The motor system, responsible for controlling movement, heavily relies on the brain and spinal cord for accurate functioning. Here’s how these components work together and how chiropractic adjustments help:
1. The Brain’s Role in Movement: The motor cortex, located in the brain’s cerebral cortex, is primarily responsible for initiating and coordinating voluntary movements. Signals travel from the motor cortex to the spinal cord, where they are then relayed to the body’s muscles, allowing for movement. Efficient communication between the brain, spinal cord, and muscles is essential for precise control over movements, particularly for athletes.
2. How Chiropractic Impacts the Brain: Research has shown that spinal adjustments influence brain function, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for focus, planning, and controlling motor skills. By restoring proper spinal alignment, chiropractic care promotes clearer communication between the brain and the rest of the body, enhancing muscle control, coordination, and agility.
3. Improving Reflexive and Voluntary Movement: Proper alignment not only helps with voluntary movements but also plays a role in reflexive responses. This means that athletes can react more effectively and maintain stability, even during unpredictable situations. Chiropractic adjustments help ensure that the nervous system can relay signals quickly and accurately, supporting both reflexive and deliberate movements.
MaxLiving Sports Performance
At Truth Family Chiropractic, our very own Dr. Kevin Miller, a well-versed practitioner in the realm of sports chiropractic, is a proud member of the MaxLiving Sports Performance Council. This network comprises over 185 chiropractic doctors specially trained to help athletes and sports teams harness their maximum athletic potential. Essential elements like proper nutrition, injury reduction, and building future health are vital parts of an athlete’s daily life. With our sports chiropractic expertise, we can help you balance these elements, empowering you to train to your body’s fullest potential.
– Proper nutrition
– Effective care of injuries
– Proactive spinal care
– Leaner muscle mass
– Detoxification
Sports chiropractic care can help reduce injury rates and recovery time while increasing performance factors like energy, focus, mental clarity, and training productivity.
How Chiropractic Helps with Recovery
Recovery is a vital part of any athletic routine. Whether it’s coming back from a strenuous game or healing from an injury, efficient recovery can make a significant difference in an athlete’s performance. Chiropractic care supports faster and more effective recovery in various ways:
1. Reducing Inflammation and Muscle Tension: Physical activities, especially high-intensity sports, often lead to inflammation and muscle tension. Chiropractic adjustments alleviate pressure on the nervous system. This reduces inflammation and promotes relaxation in the muscles, allowing to recover faster between games or training sessions.
2. Improving Circulation: Proper spinal alignment supports healthy blood flow, which is crucial for recovery. Good circulation ensures that oxygen and essential nutrients are effectively delivered to muscles and tissues, speeding up the healing process.
3. Relieving Pain and Discomfort: Whether dealing with chronic pain or post-injury discomfort, chiropractic adjustments provide effective, drug-free pain relief. Aligning the spine helps alleviate pressure on nerves, reducing pain and promoting faster recovery.
4. Supporting Soft Tissue Healing: Adjustments also help with soft tissue recovery. When the spine is aligned, muscles, ligaments, and tendons have the best possible environment for healing.
Why Athletes Should Continue Chiropractic Care, Even with Sprains, Strains, and Post-Surgery Recovery
Athletes are often dealing with various injuries, from sprains and strains to post-surgical recoveries. It might seem like a time to hold off on chiropractic adjustments, but continuing care during recovery can offer numerous benefits including:
1. Maintaining Spinal Alignment During Immobilization: For athletes in boot braces or other immobilization devices, spinal alignment is often compromised. Immobilization can lead to compensation patterns, where certain muscles overwork to make up for restricted movements. Chiropractic care can help prevent these compensations from becoming long-term issues by maintaining proper alignment and muscle balance.
2. Speeding Up Recovery Post-Surgery: Surgery can disrupt the body’s natural alignment and balance, often leading to muscle imbalances or nerve irritation. Chiropractic adjustments aid the body’s natural healing processes and ensure that recovery is as smooth as possible. By promoting circulation, reducing inflammation, and supporting the nervous system, chiropractic care can help athletes get back on their feet quicker.
3. Preventing Secondary Injuries: It’s common for athletes to develop secondary injuries while recovering from an initial one. For instance, an athlete who has a knee injury may end up putting extra strain on the opposite leg. Chiropractic adjustments address these compensatory changes.
4. Supporting Mental Health and Focus: Physical recovery can be mentally challenging. Chiropractic adjustments, especially those impacting the prefrontal cortex, help with focus, concentration, and mental clarity. These mental benefits are invaluable to athletes recovering from injuries, as they allow for a more positive, motivated approach to rehabilitation.
5. Creating a Holistic Support System: Chiropractic care doesn’t just treat injuries but supports overall wellness. For athletes managing chronic injuries or undergoing post-surgery recovery, a holistic approach that combines chiropractic adjustments with physical therapy, massage, and nutrition can make a remarkable difference in recovery speed and quality.
A Vital Resource for Athletic Performance and Recovery
If you’re an athlete, consider making chiropractic care a regular part of your training and recovery routine. Working with an experienced chiropractor can help you maximize your body’s potential, keep your nervous system functioning at its best, and maintain optimal alignment to support every aspect of your performance and recovery.
Past Team Partnerships
– Colorado Rapids 2010 won MLS Cup
– USA Judo – World Championships
– USA Weightlifting – World Championships
– 2009-2011 Cross-fit Championships
– Support for MMA fighters at several UFC events
– Professional boxing
Check Out Our Locations Near You
West Des Moines
1905 EP True Pkwy #207, West Des Moines, IA 50265
St. Charles
133 W Main Street St. Charles, IA 50240
Frequently Asked Questions About Performance Chiropractic
Answer: What does a sports chiropractor do for athletes?
A sports chiropractor works to detect and address movement-related problems that can limit athletic performance. They emphasize spinal alignment, joint mobility, and the connection between the nervous system and muscles. By applying targeted adjustments and therapies, sports chiropractors help athletes improve coordination, reaction time, balance, and overall biomechanical efficiency. This translates to better movement, quicker recovery, reduced injury risk, and sustained high performance on the field, court, or track.
Answer: How often should an athlete see a chiropractor?
The frequency of chiropractic visits depends on the athlete's sport, training intensity, injury history, and performance goals. During intense training phases or recovery from injury, weekly visits may be beneficial. In off-season or maintenance phases, biweekly or monthly adjustments may be enough. At Truth Family Chiropractic, we create personalized care schedules based on an athlete’s unique physical demands and goals.
Answer: Can chiropractic care help with sprains, strains, or after surgery?
Yes. While chiropractors do not replace medical treatment, chiropractic care plays a crucial supportive role in injury recovery. By restoring alignment, reducing joint stress, and improving nervous system function, we help accelerate healing after sprains, strains, or surgery. Chiropractic care can also reduce compensatory strain on other body parts, lower inflammation, and improve mobility—making recovery more efficient and comprehensive.
Answer: Is sports chiropractic safe for young or amateur athletes?
Absolutely. Sports chiropractic is highly safe and effective for athletes of all ages and experience levels. At Truth Family Chiropractic, we tailor techniques to the age, size, and development of each athlete—from youth players to adult amateurs. Our goal is to support safe growth, enhance coordination, and reduce injury risk without aggressive force.
Answer: What benefits can I expect from performance chiropractic?
Performance chiropractic enhances the function of your neuromuscular system. Athletes often experience faster recovery times, reduced pain and inflammation, increased flexibility, sharper proprioception, improved coordination, and stronger mind-body connection. These benefits allow athletes to train harder, compete longer, and avoid burnout or chronic injury.
Answer: Do I need a referral to get chiropractic treatment?
No referral is required to start chiropractic care. At Truth Family Chiropractic, athletes can book a performance evaluation or consultation directly. We welcome new patients and build custom plans based on your current condition and goals—no physician referral needed.
Answer: What types of athletes do you treat?
We treat a wide variety of athletes, including those in CrossFit, MMA, wrestling, soccer, track and field, weightlifting, gymnastics, and more. From youth league players and high school competitors to weekend warriors and elite performers, our care plans are personalized to support your level of training and recovery needs.
Answer: How is your approach different from general chiropractic?
Unlike general chiropractic, which focuses mainly on pain relief or posture correction, performance chiropractic targets the specific demands of athletes. We incorporate neurological assessments, mobility testing, and sport-specific biomechanics into care. Our affiliation with MaxLiving and experience with national athletic programs reflect our commitment to helping athletes achieve measurable, performance-based outcomes.
Answer: Can chiropractic care help me perform better in my sport?
Yes. Chiropractic care enhances the alignment and communication of your musculoskeletal and nervous systems. This can lead to improved agility, faster reaction times, greater joint mobility, and reduced muscle tension—all of which contribute to peak performance. Whether you're a power athlete, endurance runner, or tactical sport competitor, chiropractic may help you gain a performance edge.
Answer: What makes Truth Family Chiropractic different from other sports chiropractors?
Dr. Kevin Miller, one of our chiropractors, has worked with USA Wrestling teams at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games and several World Championships. Our team is also a part of the MaxLiving Sports Performance Council. We combine evidence-based chiropractic care with athlete-focused assessments and long-term performance strategies. We don’t just treat pain—we partner with you to support your performance, recovery, and career longevity.
Answer: Does chiropractic care help with recovery after intense training or competition?
Absolutely. High-intensity training and competition put the body under significant stress. Chiropractic adjustments restore alignment, reduce neural interference, and help the body eliminate inflammation more efficiently. Athletes often report less soreness, faster muscle recovery, and improved mobility within 24–48 hours after an adjustment.
Answer: Is chiropractic treatment painful?
No. Most patients, including athletes, find treatment to be comfortable and relieving. Techniques are tailored to your body type, injury status, and comfort level. While some adjustments may produce brief sensations or minor soreness, many athletes experience immediate mobility gains and improved range of motion.
Answer: When might athletes notice results from chiropractic care?
Many athletes report feeling better—less tightness, more flexibility, or faster recovery—within 1–3 sessions. Long-term improvements in posture, performance, and resilience often build over weeks or months. Results depend on the condition being treated, frequency of care, and how consistently the athlete follows through with recovery protocols.
Answer: Can I get adjusted while injured or during physical therapy?
Yes, in most cases. Chiropractic care can complement physical therapy and be adapted around acute injuries. We often coordinate care as needed to ensure safe, effective treatment that supports healing without overstressing vulnerable areas. Adjustments are tailored to avoid aggravating injuries.
Answer: Do you treat sports-specific injuries like tennis elbow or runner’s knee?
Yes. We address many sport-specific conditions like tennis elbow, runner's knee, rotator cuff strain, and shin splints. Our care targets the root cause—often joint misalignment or muscle imbalance—rather than just masking symptoms. We combine adjustments with functional movement strategies to reduce recurrence.
Answer: Do you offer care plans for sports teams or coaches?
We are open to working with coaches, trainers, and sports teams to develop tailored care plans. While not listed as a standard service, we are happy to discuss team-based solutions upon request.
Answer: What age range of athletes do you work with?
We work with athletes of all ages—from youth and middle school athletes to college, adult, and masters-level competitors. Each care plan is customized to match the athlete’s physical development, training load, and recovery needs. We ensure safety and effectiveness at every stage.
Answer: Can chiropractic care help with concussion recovery or prevention?
While chiropractors do not treat concussions directly, we may support post-concussion recovery by improving cervical spine alignment, reducing nervous system stress, and enhancing circulation. These effects may help support safer return-to-play outcomes when guided by a licensed medical provider.
Answer: How does chiropractic help with flexibility and range of motion?
Chiropractic adjustments target joint restrictions and improve movement in the spine and extremities. This increases functional flexibility and helps athletes move more fluidly. Improved joint mobility also reduces the risk of strains or compensatory injuries caused by poor range of motion.
Answer: Can I combine chiropractic with massage, physical therapy, or strength training?
Yes. Chiropractic care often complements other performance therapies well. While we may not directly coordinate with every provider, our treatments are compatible with massage, PT, mobility work, and strength training. Many athletes see the best results when these approaches are integrated.
Chiropractor
Expert Insight from Dr. Kevin Miller, DC
Dr. Kevin Miller, DC knows firsthand what it takes to perform—and recover—at a high level. As a former collegiate All-American wrestler and 2x Academic All-American, he turned a serious neck injury into a mission: helping athletes unlock their body’s full potential through chiropractic care.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Miller has worked with USA Wrestling, high school and college teams, and athletes of all ages across West Des Moines, Clive, and Waukee.
“I’ve lived the athlete’s life—training hard, pushing limits, recovering from injury. Chiropractic changed everything for me, and I’m here to help other athletes train smarter, recover faster, and stay in the game longer.”
— Dr. Kevin Miller, DC
Book Your First Exam Today
Why wait to begin feeling relief? Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.