Over a thousand students attended the Michigan Esports High School State Championship on May 4, 2024, in Flint, Michigan. The excitement surrounding Esports is continuously growing.

Michigan Esports

Esports is not just about quick reflexes and strategic thinking; it's about maintaining a sound mind-body connection. This relationship between physical and mental health makes chiropractic care an incredibly helpful tool for esports athletes.

What Are Esports?

Esports stands for electronic sports, and it refers to competitive video gaming. In competitive video gaming, teams or players compete against one another at competitions both in person and online. Like traditional sports, there’s a coach, practice, and lots of strategic planning. Much of the time, esports competitions are streamed virtually on platforms like Twitch or YouTube.

In the last few years, experts have started to recognize the mental and social benefits of playing esports. Dr. Sara Whedon with the Michigan Association of Chiropractors (MAC) said, “[Esports players] are social together, they’re very focused, very disciplined about their craft and very eager to win.” Dr. Whedon is among a growing number of professionals who acknowledge the new sport’s potential to enhance cognitive skills, foster teamwork, and promote socializing.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care In Esports

Elevating your game in esports requires more than just improving your gaming skills; it requires mental clarity and emotional well-being. Chiropractic care can positively impact the psychological aspects of their patient’s lives in several ways: 

Enhanced Focus: Concentrating on tasks becomes much harder when your body is in pain or discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate physical distractions, allowing you to focus better on your daily activities and enhancing mental clarity. 

Mood Improvement: Chiropractic adjustments may release endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” hormones. This can lead to an improved mood and a heightened sense of well-being, which can help maintain peak performance in esports.

Preventing Overuse Injuries: The repetitive motions and seated position normally necessary in esports can, over time, take a toll on your body. Chiropractic care can help prevent possible injuries to places like your hands and neck.

Nervous System Function: Chiropractic care helps to optimize nervous system function by correcting spinal misalignments or subluxations. A well-functioning nervous system is essential for quick reflexes, coordination, and overall performance, which is crucial for esport athletes.

Michigan High School Esports Federation

The Michigan High School Esports Federation is a free-to-join non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that offers free esports competitions for High Schools in Michigan, started and operated by educators since 2019. Our mission focuses entirely on student experiences, opportunities, and growth and the development of the high school esports community in Michigan in  a safe and secure setting. For schools just starting or with an established team ready to play, Michigan schools are welcomed into a diverse and equitable community.

Michigan College Esports

Many colleges and universities in Michigan have esports teams that you can join as well. Some of these colleges include Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Northwood University. An esports team can be a great place to meet friends on campus and get involved with other students.

Caption: Scene from the new Esports Lounge at Michigan State University.

Adult Esports

Depending on your area, you may have an esports league or facility near you. Otherwise, you can find a team online using this link. Here are some resources for Michigan esports teams and lounges: