Sports injuries do not just happen to elite athletes. They happen to the gym-goer who pushes too hard on a deadlift, the parent who rolls an ankle at their kid's soccer game, the construction worker whose shoulder finally gives out after years of overhead work, and the high school runner whose IT band has been tight for three weeks.
At Move Chiropractic in Angier, these are exactly the kinds of patients Dr. David Carter sees every day.
Dr. Carter brings a specific set of tools to sports injury care that most chiropractic practices in this area do not offer. He is certified in dry needling, IASTM, and blood flow restriction therapy — certifications that are directly relevant to the active patients he works with.
He trains himself, understands barbell and CrossFit movement patterns, and has treated athletes from local high school programs and Campbell University. That background shapes how he evaluates and treats every sports-related problem that walks through the door.
The goal is not just to get you out of pain. It is to understand why the injury happened, address what is driving it, and help you return to full activity without setting yourself up for the same problem again.
Common Sports Injuries Treated at Move Chiropractic
Sports injuries rarely affect just one isolated area. A knee problem changes how you walk, which loads the hip differently, which puts more stress on the lower back. Dr. Carter evaluates the full movement picture — not just the site of pain — to make sure the underlying cause is addressed and not just the symptom.
-
Sprains and strains
-
Rotator cuff injuries
-
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
-
Knee and ankle injuries
-
Sciatica and back pain
-
Shoulder and hip injuries
-
Overuse and repetitive strain injuries
-
IT band syndrome
-
Plantar fasciitis
-
Hamstring and hip flexor strains
-
Post-injury muscle guarding and tightness
How Dr. Carter Treats Sports Injuries at Move Chiropractic
Chiropractic Adjustments
Spinal and extremity adjustments restore proper joint motion, reduce stress on injured tissues, and support faster healing. For sports injuries specifically, extremity adjustments to the shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, and elbow are often just as important as spinal work. Restoring full joint mechanics reduces compensation patterns that can lead to secondary injuries down the road.
Dry Needling
Dry needling is one of the most effective tools Dr. Carter uses for sports injury recovery. Stubborn trigger points, post-injury muscle guarding, and deep muscle tension that does not respond to stretching or foam rolling are exactly what dry needling is designed to address. Many athletes from the Angier area and from Campbell University come specifically because Dr. Carter offers dry needling locally — without the drive to Raleigh.
IASTM — Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
IASTM uses specialized tools to identify and treat areas of scar tissue, fascial restriction, and chronic muscle tightness. It is particularly effective for overuse injuries, tendon problems like tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis, and post-injury tissue that has not fully remodeled. Dr. Carter is certified in IASTM through RockTape.
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy
Blood flow restriction therapy allows patients to rebuild strength and muscle tissue using significantly lighter loads than traditional strength training. For athletes recovering from injury who cannot yet handle full training loads, BFR bridges the gap between rehabilitation and return to sport. Dr. Carter is one of the few providers in this area certified in BFR therapy.
Soft Tissue Therapy and Manual Techniques
Soft tissue and muscle therapy addresses the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue directly involved in the injury. Dr. Carter uses pin and stretch techniques, PNF-based stretching, and manual therapy to restore normal tissue quality and movement before adding load back into training.
Therapeutic Exercise and Return to Sport
Corrective exercises and therapeutic stretching are built into every sports injury care plan at Move Chiropractic. Dr. Carter focuses on exercises patients can do at home between visits — not just in-office work — so progress builds on itself rather than resetting after every appointment. When it is time to return to training, he gives clear guidance on what is safe, what needs to be modified, and how to progress without creating a setback.
Who Dr. Carter Works With
Dr. Carter's sports injury patient base at Move Chiropractic includes:
Gym-goers and CrossFit athletes dealing with lifting-related injuries to the shoulder, lower back, hip, and knee. Dr. Carter trains himself and understands the mechanics of barbell movements, Olympic lifts, and high-intensity training patterns. Move Chiropractic has a formal partnership with CrossFit Angier.
High school athletes referred by local coaches and athletic trainers. A track coach at a local high school regularly sends student athletes to Move Chiropractic when she notices them struggling with pain or movement limitations.
Campbell University athletes who need dry needling or sports chiropractic care and prefer not to make the longer drive to Raleigh.
Recreational and weekend warriors from Angier, Fuquay-Varina, Lillington, Willow Springs, Coats, and Benson who stay active but do not have access to a dedicated sports medicine team.
Manual laborers and tradespeople dealing with repetitive stress injuries, joint overload, and the accumulated wear that comes with physically demanding work.
About Dr. David Carter — Sports Chiropractor in Angier, NC
Dr. David Carter is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (NC License #5334) who graduated Cum Laude from Northwestern Health Sciences University in 2019. Before opening Move Chiropractic in Angier, he practiced at a rehab-focused chiropractic clinic in Sioux Falls, SD, accumulating over 10,000 patient visits.
He is certified in dry needling, IASTM, and blood flow restriction therapy through RockTape, and has additional training in extremity injury assessment, McKenzie Method principles, and manual therapy techniques. His personal background in weightlifting and strength training directly informs how he evaluates and treats athletes.
Sports Injury Treatment FAQs
Whether you are dealing with a fresh injury or something that has been nagging you for months, the first step is finding out what is actually causing it. Dr. Carter will evaluate your movement, identify the source of the problem, and build a plan around your specific goals and training demands.
No referral needed. Same-day appointments often available.
Text (984) 355-3587 or schedule your first appointment online.