Could your next new chiropractic client base consist of eSports injuries?

You can market chiropractic care to gaming enthusiasts with eSports injuries in a number of ways …

Your chiropractic business may focus on or include treatment for sports athletes, but there is a burgeoning sport category that you may not have considered as a potential client base – eSports injuries from middle school, high school, and especially college-age students.

eSports, or electronic sports, are competitive sports played via video games. Players use computers or game consoles such as PS4, Nintendo, and others to compete against each other in games. Millions of fans watch eSports athletes at live events or online. Major colleges now host eSports teams at their universities, and like athletes competing in more traditional sports, eSports athletes can also be injured, with many suffering overuse injuries.

eSports injuries

Chiropractors can offer treatment and support for eSports athletes who are experiencing a number of issues that may arise from their gaming lifestyle.

Repetitive strain injury, or RSI, can occur when gamers use forceful hand and thumb motions repeatedly during practices and games, similar to tennis elbow in tennis players. Console gamers extend and twist the thumbs, and keyboarders curl and stretch the fingers for long periods of time, affecting the function of the wrist. Continuous clicks for hours on end could also cause RSI.

“Gamer’s Thumb,” “Gamer’s Wrist,” neck and shoulder pain, forearm pain, or joint stiffness are common eSports injuries experienced by gamers.

They may also present with:

• Swelling of thumb, difficulty picking up items, or pain upon turning the wrist or creating a fist. Gamer’s Thumb is caused by scrolling, tapping, or punching keys.
• Muscle pain in the forearms may be accompanied by wrist pain or stiffness and is caused from long periods of time without breaks, as well as repetitive motion during gaming events.
• Neck and shoulder pain or stiffness. Many gamers use low-quality seating or slouch during games. Poor posture and jutting of the head can also cause discomfort.

Joint manipulation can decrease pain and improve joint mobility. Discuss kinesio taping to offer some temporary relief to sports gamer patients and prescribe medications or supplements if necessary to address swelling, inflammation, or joint pain.

Finding local gamers

You can market chiropractic care to gaming enthusiasts with eSports injuries in a number of ways:

Go online. Research has found that 80% of consumers look for local businesses online before deciding on a purchase. Make sure you include search engine optimization on your site to be front and center in your potential client’s search.

Monitor gaming platforms such as Twitch or ShackNews to discover more about your potential clients and their needs.

Spread the word. Let your existing customers know that your practice addresses eSport injuries.

Send a special email or newsletter explaining how gaming can affect the athlete, both physically and mentally, and stress the importance of early intervention. Gamers are teens, and even young mothers and fathers and grandparents.

Connect and advertise on local eSports gaming networks or businesses and connect with local colleges. Research businesses that may carry equipment for gamers, such as gaming chairs, software, virtual reality equipment, etc. Team-up with businesses that may offer relief to gamers such as massage centers, acupuncture or acupressure clinics, health food or supplement stores, or orthopedic brace supply stores.

 

References:

https://www.alignchiropractic.com.sg/post/esport-and-gaming-injuries-how-repetitive-strain-injuries-are-becoming-widespread

https://www.bluecorona.com/blog/29-small-business-digital-marketing-statistics/

https://www.twitch.tv/

https://www.shacknews.com/

https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/issues/2022-05/view_features/getting-an-edge-in-esports-meeting-the-health-needs-of-competitive-gamers

https://esportshealthcare.com/chiropractic-and-gaming/