Sports Rehabilitation FAQs — Ann Arbor, MI | Answers from the Only CCSP in Ann Arbor
Common Questions About Sports Rehabilitation (Answered by Dr. Timothy Dehr)
I've been treating sports injuries in Ann Arbor for nearly two decades, working with everyone from 3-time Olympic gymnast Sam Mikulak to over 50 current NFL players, as well as NCAA athletes, high school competitors, and weekend warriors. As the only Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) in Ann Arbor, I get asked a lot of the same questions about sports rehabilitation. Here are the answers.
What is sports rehabilitation, and how is it different from regular chiropractic care?
Sports rehabilitation is a specialized approach to treating and preventing athletic injuries. It's not just about getting you out of pain — it's about restoring proper biomechanics, rebuilding strength and stability, and making sure you don't re-injure yourself the moment you return to your sport.
Regular chiropractic care focuses primarily on spinal alignment and pain relief. Sports rehabilitation takes it several steps further by addressing:
- Biomechanical dysfunction — the underlying movement patterns that caused the injury in the first place
- Sport-specific demands — a runner's knee injury requires a different rehab approach than a wrestler's shoulder injury
- Performance optimization — not just getting you back to baseline, but improving function beyond where you were before
My approach combines precise spinal and joint adjustments, corrective exercises, soft tissue work, and movement coaching. The goal is to fix the mechanical problem, not just mask the symptoms.
I'm the only CCSP in Ann Arbor — what does that mean for you?
CCSP stands for Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician. It's an advanced post-graduate certification that requires specialized training in sports injury diagnosis, rehabilitation, and performance optimization.
Most chiropractors focus on general pain relief and wellness care. As a CCSP, I've spent years studying the biomechanics of athletic performance, injury prevention protocols, and evidence-based rehabilitation techniques specifically for athletes.
This certification, combined with nearly two decades of work with Olympic athletes and NFL players, means I understand the demands your body faces during competition and training. Whether you're a Division I athlete or a recreational runner training for your first 5K, I approach your injury with the same precision and rigor I would for an elite competitor.
Do I need to be a serious athlete to benefit from sports rehabilitation?
Not at all. I treat everyone from Olympians to people who just started jogging around their neighborhood in Burns Park.
"Sports rehabilitation" doesn't mean you have to be on a team or competing at a high level. It means I'm treating your injury with a performance-focused approach — whether that performance is running a marathon, playing with your kids without back pain, or getting through your recreational basketball league without your knee giving out.
If you're active in any way and want to move better, recover from an injury, or prevent future problems, sports rehabilitation is for you.
What types of injuries do you treat?
I treat a wide range of sports-related injuries, including:
Overuse injuries:
- Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)
- Shin splints
- Tennis elbow / golfer's elbow
- IT band syndrome
- Achilles tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
Acute injuries:
- Ankle sprains
- Muscle strains (hamstring, groin, quad, calf)
- Shoulder injuries (rotator cuff, labral issues)
- Wrist and hand injuries
- Lower back strains
- Neck injuries (whiplash, stingers)
Post-surgical rehab:
- ACL reconstruction rehab
- Meniscus repair recovery
- Rotator cuff surgery rehab
- Labral repair recovery
Biomechanical issues that lead to injury:
- Hip mobility restrictions
- Scapular dyskinesis (poor shoulder blade movement)
- Ankle instability
- Core weakness
- Poor movement patterns
I also work with NCAA athletes, high school sports teams, and youth athletes throughout Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti to prevent injuries before they happen.
How long does sports rehabilitation take?
It depends on the severity of your injury, how long you've had it, and how closely you follow the rehab plan.
Acute injuries (recent sprains, strains, minor joint issues): Most patients see significant improvement within 2-4 weeks with consistent treatment and corrective exercises.
Chronic injuries (nagging pain that's lasted months or years): These take longer because we're not just treating the pain — we're correcting the underlying biomechanical dysfunction that's been there for a while. Expect 6-12 weeks of active rehab, followed by ongoing maintenance and injury prevention work.
Post-surgical rehab: This depends on the surgery, but most post-op rehab protocols run 3-6 months. I work alongside your surgeon's recovery timeline to make sure you're progressing safely.
The patients who recover fastest are the ones who do their corrective exercises at home, stay hydrated, manage their stress, and don't try to rush back to full training before they're ready.
Can chiropractic care actually improve athletic performance, or just treat injuries?
Both. When I was working with Sam Mikulak during his Olympic training, he wasn't coming to me just because he was injured. He came regularly to maintain proper joint mechanics, improve range of motion, and prevent injuries from happening in the first place.
Here's how chiropractic sports rehabilitation improves performance:
1. Better biomechanics = better efficiency When your spine and joints are moving properly, your muscles don't have to work as hard to compensate for restrictions. This means more power output with less wasted energy.
2. Improved range of motion Whether it's hip mobility for a sprinter or shoulder mobility for a swimmer, increasing functional range of motion directly translates to better performance.
3. Faster recovery between training sessions Proper spinal alignment improves nervous system function, which helps your body recover faster. This means you can train harder, more frequently, without breaking down.
4. Injury prevention The best way to improve performance is to stay healthy. By addressing biomechanical issues before they become injuries, you avoid missing training time.
I've seen this consistently across the athletes I've worked with — from NFL players to NCAA competitors to high school athletes in Ann Arbor. The ones who prioritize biomechanics and injury prevention consistently outperform the ones who only focus on strength and conditioning.
What happens at my first sports rehab appointment?
Your first visit typically takes 45-60 minutes and includes:
1. Detailed injury history I'll ask when the injury happened, what makes it worse, what makes it better, and whether you've tried other treatments. If you've had imaging (X-rays, MRI), bring those with you.
2. Movement assessment I'll watch you walk, squat, lunge, or perform movements specific to your sport. This helps me identify compensation patterns and biomechanical dysfunctions.
3. Physical examination I'll test your range of motion, strength, joint stability, and perform orthopedic tests to pinpoint the exact source of your pain or dysfunction.
4. Treatment (if appropriate) If it's safe to treat on the first visit, I'll start with adjustments, soft tissue work, or corrective exercises. Some injuries need imaging or additional evaluation before I begin treatment.
5. Treatment plan and home exercises I'll explain what's causing your injury, how long recovery typically takes, and what you need to do at home to support your healing. You'll leave with specific corrective exercises to start immediately.
By the end of the first visit, you should have a clear understanding of your injury and a roadmap for getting back to your sport.
Do I need a referral from my doctor to see you?
No. Michigan is a direct access state for chiropractic care, which means you can schedule an appointment without a referral. However, if you have an HMO plan you may still be required to get a referral from your PCP.
That said, if you've had a recent surgery, a serious acute injury (like a suspected fracture or ligament tear), or a medical condition that might complicate treatment, I may ask you to get imaging or clearance from your physician before we proceed.
I also work collaboratively with orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and primary care physicians throughout Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County. If your injury needs additional evaluation or a different type of care, I'll make sure you're referred to the right specialist.
Will my insurance cover sports rehabilitation?
Most insurance plans cover chiropractic care for sports injuries, but coverage varies by plan. We accept most major insurance carriers and will verify your benefits before your first appointment.
If you're paying out of pocket, we offer flexible payment options and will work with you to create a treatment plan that fits your budget.
Call our office at (734) 929-4523 and we can answer specific questions about your insurance coverage.
How often will I need to come in for treatment?
It depends on your injury and your goals.
Acute injuries: Most patients start with 2-3 visits per week for the first 2-3 weeks, then taper down as symptoms improve.
Chronic injuries: You might start with 2 visits per week, then drop to once a week, then every other week as we progress through corrective care.
Performance optimization and injury prevention: Many of my NCAA athletes and serious competitors come in once every 1-2 weeks during their season to maintain optimal mechanics and prevent injuries.
I don't believe in unnecessary long-term care plans. My goal is to get you functioning well, teach you how to maintain it on your own, and have you come back only when you need a tune-up or if something flares up.
Can you help prevent injuries, or just treat them after they happen?
Both. Injury prevention is a huge part of what I do, especially for my NCAA athletes, high school sports teams, and serious competitors.
I identify biomechanical weaknesses before they turn into injuries — things like:
- Hip mobility restrictions that lead to lower back pain
- Ankle instability that causes chronic sprains
- Scapular dyskinesis that leads to shoulder impingement
- Core weakness that contributes to hamstring strains
By addressing these issues proactively, we prevent the injury from happening in the first place. This is especially important during pre-season training, when injury risk is highest.
If you're a student athlete in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti, or if your child plays sports and you want to keep them healthy throughout their season, injury prevention screenings are one of the best investments you can make.
Schedule Your Sports Rehabilitation Appointment in Ann Arbor
Whether you're recovering from an injury, trying to improve your performance, or just want to stay healthy and active, I'm here to help.
Call (734) 929-4523 or schedule online.
Performance Health Chiropractic 2330 E Stadium Blvd #3 Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM Friday – Sunday: Closed
We serve athletes of all levels throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Washtenaw County — from Olympians to weekend warriors.
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