A sports injury can interrupt training, competition and the activities you use to stay healthy. Effective care should do more than temporarily quiet the pain—it should identify what happened, restore function and prepare your body for the demands of returning to activity.
Better Chiropractic provides sports-focused evaluation, chiropractic care and rehabilitation for athletes and active adults in Gilbert. Dr. Bates is a Board Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Whether you are a student-athlete, runner, lifter, pickleball player or weekend warrior, your plan is built around your injury, sport and performance goals.
Why Sports Injuries Happen
Some injuries occur suddenly after a fall, collision, awkward landing or rapid change of direction. Others build gradually when training volume, recovery, mobility, strength or technique exceeds what the body can currently tolerate.
Common problems include sprains, strains, tendon irritation, joint restrictions and overuse injuries. Previous injuries can also change movement patterns and increase stress elsewhere.
A useful evaluation considers the painful area and the rest of the movement chain. That helps us decide what needs treatment, what needs rehabilitation and what must be demonstrated before a safe return to sport.
If your symptoms followed a motor-vehicle collision rather than a sports injury, see our Car Accident & Personal Injury page for accident-specific evaluation, documentation, and care information.
Sports-Injury Expertise Built Around Your Goals
Dr. Brennan Bates is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). That background informs the evaluation of joint function, strength, mobility, movement, training demands, and return-to-sport readiness.
We work with student-athletes, recreational competitors, runners, lifters, pickleball players, field-sport athletes, and active adults. Your plan is based on the injury and the demands you need to meet—not a generic timeline.
When an injury requires imaging, medical management, or another specialist, we will make the appropriate referral.
How We Treat Sports Injuries
We start by understanding how the injury occurred, what movements aggravate it and what your sport requires. The examination may include joint mobility, strength, flexibility, balance and sport-relevant movement testing.
Your individualized plan may include chiropractic care, sports rehabilitation, soft-tissue treatment, dry needling, cupping and progressive exercise.
We build from symptom control toward strength, confidence and a graded return to training. When appropriate, we coordinate with coaches, trainers or other healthcare professionals.
Treatment and Rehabilitation Options
Depending on the examination findings, care may include chiropractic treatment, manual or instrument-assisted soft-tissue therapy, dry needling, cupping, taping, mobility work, corrective exercise, and progressive strength and conditioning.
We begin with what you can tolerate, then progress toward the speed, strength, balance, endurance, and sport-specific movement your activity requires. Return-to-sport decisions consider symptoms, function, confidence, and the demands of training or competition.
Treatment needs and results vary. We will explain the purpose and limitations of each recommendation before care begins.
"Excellent, comprehensive, compassionate care. I always leave feeling better and well-informed. . Front desk gal was pleasant and helpful. The Doctor is amazing and does a great job of educating you on a multifactorial approach to treatment. I wouldn’t go anywhere else for my chiropractic needs; trust me, these guys truly are: Better."
- Fizzah A. // Gilbert, AZ
"I’ve been going to Better Chiropractic for a couple of years now. I used to throw my back out every few months, now with the efforts of Dr. Bates and the preventative exercises he taught me, I haven’t had an issue in over a year. This place is life-changing!"- Brian H. // Gilbert, AZ
"Today was my first visit here, the second time ever at any chiropractor. Dr. Bates came highly recommended by a colleague who works in spine surgery. Even still, I was a little apprehensive about chiropractic care but in enough pain that I realized I needed the help. Dr. Bates was very kind and patient with me.He asked what my specific concerns were and then explained, very thoroughly, how and why those outcomes happen and what he was doing specifically to screen for and make sure that those things would not happen. He did a thorough exam and addressed what needed addressing without just doing everything and seeing what would work.
During the treatment, he continued to talk me through everything that was happening and made me feel very comfortable. I feel much improved after the visit!! He did not try to sell me a long-term package but I will return for some follow-ups until things are 100%. The front desk was very friendly and helpful! The office was neat and clean. The pricing was straightforward and fair. Very glad I found this office!!"
-Theresa K. // Casa Grande, AZ
