Why Holmen Football Players See Dr. Chad Before the Season

Dr. Chad Updike is the Team Chiropractor for Holmen High School football, which means he sees these athletes up close throughout the season and understands exactly what the sport demands of their bodies. What years on that sideline have taught him is that the players who come in before the season starts consistently do better than those who wait until something breaks down. There is a real structural reason for that, and it applies to football players at every level in the La Crosse area.

What Football Does to the Spine

Football is one of the most physically demanding sports on the musculoskeletal system. Every snap, block, tackle, and hit transmits force through the spine. Over a full season, that accumulation is significant even for players who never experience a serious acute injury.

The cervical spine takes particular stress in football. Blocking and tackling mechanics load the neck in ways that shift vertebrae out of position, compress nerve roots, and create the kind of low-grade stiffness and restriction that players accept as normal. It is not normal. It is a sign the cervical spine needs attention.

The lumbar spine and pelvis take significant load from blocking, carrying, and the repetitive twisting and cutting of athletic movement. Linemen accumulate lower back stress quietly through the season. Running backs and linebackers deal with the compressive impact of repeated physical contact. Every position has its own structural demands.

Why a Preseason Evaluation Matters

Most athletes show up to the first practice of the season already carrying issues from the previous year. Old injuries that were not fully resolved. Compensation patterns that developed during recovery. Postural problems from the off-season. None of these are obvious from the outside, but all of them affect how the athlete moves and how much resilience they have when contact starts.

A preseason evaluation at Leading Edge Chiropractic gives Dr. Chad a complete picture of where an athlete’s spine is starting from. The Gonstead analysis identifies any misalignments, joint restrictions, or areas of nerve irritation present before the season begins. Correcting those issues early means the athlete enters the season with a structurally sound foundation rather than a compromised one.

It is the same logic as a preseason physical. You check the systems before you put them under maximum demand.

What Dr. Chad Looks for in Football Players

Years working with Holmen football players has given Dr. Chad a clear picture of the structural patterns that show up most consistently in this sport.

Upper Cervical Misalignment

The top two vertebrae in the neck are the most vulnerable during contact. Even minor hits that do not produce obvious symptoms can shift these segments out of position and create nerve irritation that affects everything from headache frequency to reaction time. Dr. Chad checks the upper cervical spine carefully on every football player he evaluates because subtle problems hide here most often.

Lumbar and Pelvic Asymmetry

Uneven loading through the lumbar spine and pelvis is extremely common in football players. It often develops from previous injuries that were managed but not fully corrected. A player who favored one side after an ankle sprain two seasons ago may still be loading the opposite hip differently. That asymmetry creates predictable stress patterns that eventually produce pain or injury in the overloaded area.

Thoracic Restriction

The mid-back frequently becomes stiff and restricted in contact sport athletes from cumulative compression. Restricted thoracic mobility forces the lumbar and cervical spine to compensate with extra movement, increasing their injury risk. Freeing up thoracic mobility as part of a preseason evaluation reduces that compensatory load significantly.

Concussion and the Cervical Spine

Dr. Chad has advanced concussion management training, and this is an area where his role as Team Chiropractor and his clinical expertise come together directly. When a concussion occurs, the same force affecting the brain also loads the cervical spine. Upper cervical misalignments following a head impact can prolong recovery and contribute to post-concussion symptoms including headaches, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.

Evaluating and addressing the cervical component after a concussion supports a more complete recovery. Dr. Chad works within established return-to-play protocols and coordinates with coaches and medical staff when concussion is involved. Football families in Holmen trust that process because Dr. Chad understands both the clinical and athletic side of it.

In-Season Care Keeps Players on the Field

Preseason evaluation is the foundation, but in-season care is what maintains it through a full schedule. Regular visits during the season help Dr. Chad catch and correct the small misalignments that accumulate from weekly contact before they become significant injuries.

Players who maintain in-season chiropractic care consistently report feeling better recovered between games and experiencing fewer of the nagging issues that derail performance throughout the La Crosse area competitive season. That reflects the difference between a spine being actively maintained and one left to accumulate stress until something breaks down.

This Applies Beyond Holmen High School

Dr. Chad’s role with the Holmen High School football team is specific to that program, but the principles apply to any football player at any level. Youth league players, high school athletes at other schools, and adult recreational players all benefit from the same preseason evaluation and in-season maintenance approach.

Get Your Football Player Evaluated Before the Season

Do not wait for an injury to make the appointment. Contact Leading Edge Chiropractic or call 608-526-2854 to schedule a preseason evaluation with Dr. Chad in Holmen and give your athlete the structural foundation they need to stay on the field all season.