Sports Therapy & Recovery Portland OR

The Science of Sports Recovery Technology

In the past, high-level recovery technology was reserved almost exclusively for professional athletes and elite athletes. Today, Hazelwood Healthcare brings those same tools to our East Portland community. We believe that everyone who engages in intense exercise or regular physical activity should have access to the best recovery methods available. 

Our clinic features a self-guided infrared sauna and a cold plunge, two powerful tools that work together to help athletes recover faster and perform better.

Recovery is not just a break from training; it is an active part of any successful training program. When you push your body through high-intensity exercise, you create micro-tears in your soft tissues and accumulate metabolic waste. Without proper recovery, these small issues can lead to a higher risk of injury and decreased performance.

Our focus is on providing the environment and the expertise to help you bounce back with more energy and less pain.

Increasing Blood Flow with Infrared Sauna Therapy

One of the most effective ways to support your body after intense exercise is by increasing blood flow to your muscles. Our infrared sauna uses light to create heat that penetrates deep into your tissues. Unlike traditional saunas that just heat the air around you, infrared technology warms your body from the inside out.

This process helps to dilate blood vessels, which allows oxygen-rich blood to reach tired muscles more efficiently.

Many athletes find that regular sauna sessions improve their sleep quality and overall sense of vitality. By relaxing the soft tissues and promoting circulation, the sauna helps flush out the byproducts of exercise that cause soreness. It is a private, self-guided experience that allows you to decompress while your body does the hard work of repairing itself.

If you have cardiovascular concerns, are pregnant, or have a pre-existing medical condition, please check with your primary care physician before starting sauna sessions.

Reducing Inflammation with Cold Plunge Therapy

If the sauna is about heat and circulation, the cold plunge is about cooling the fire of inflammation. Cold water immersion is a staple in sports medicine because of its ability to constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling after physical activity. For athletes in Portland who are looking to recover from injury or simply handle a heavy training load, the cold plunge is a game-changer.

At Hazelwood Healthcare, our cold plunge is designed to be a quick but powerful reset for your nervous system. By spending just a few minutes in the cold water, you can significantly reduce the delayed onset muscle soreness that often follows a hard workout. We make the process easy by providing towels for your use.

This self-guided tool is one of the most effective ways to lower the risk of injury and keep your joints feeling mobile. As with the sauna, we ask that you consult your primary care physician if you have any heart conditions or medical concerns before using the cold plunge.

Chiropractic Care and Range of Motion

While our recovery technology handles the soft tissues and inflammation, chiropractic care addresses the structural foundation of your performance. Dr. Capitano and our team work with athletes to ensure their joints are moving correctly and their spine is aligned. When your body is in proper alignment, your range of motion increases, allowing you to move more efficiently and with less effort.

Chiropractic adjustments are a vital part of injury prevention. When a joint is restricted, other parts of your body have to overcompensate, which often leads to strain elsewhere. By maintaining proper spinal health, you allow your nervous system to communicate clearly with your muscles. This leads to better coordination, more power, and a more resilient body.

We also offer custom-fit orthotics to ensure your foundation is stable, which is especially important for runners and other athletes who spend a lot of time on their feet.We also carry nutritional supplements that support athletes in the clinic, and also have a Fullscript account that patients can order from if what they need is not on hand.

An Integrative Approach to Sports Medicine

Hazelwood Healthcare is unique because we offer chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy under one roof. While a physical therapist or physical therapy clinic may focus on specific rehabilitation exercises, our integrative approach looks at the athlete as a whole. We collaborate with you to create a plan that fits your specific sport and your long-term health goals.

For example, a pitcher might come in for chiropractic adjustments to maintain shoulder and spine mobility, but they might also use prenatal acupuncture if they are an expectant mother looking to stay active, or standard acupuncture to manage chronic tension. 

By having all these resources in one East Portland location, you save time and energy. We respect your resources and work to ensure you get the most out of every visit to our clinic.

Friendly Professionalism in East Portland

We pride ourselves on a friendly, high-energy vibe that makes every athlete feel welcome. We serve a wide range of patients, from Parkrose High School athletes to residents in Gateway and Gresham who are just starting a new fitness journey. Our clinic is a place where you are encouraged to be an active participant in your care.

When you arrive at Hazelwood Healthcare, please remember that we do not send digital forms. To ensure we have a clear and accurate understanding of your health history and your goals, all forms are filled out in our clinic. This allows our staff to assist you in person and answer any questions you may have about insurance claims, especially if you are looking to recover from injury following a motor vehicle accident.