Sports and Chiropractic
CASE STUDY -- 1: UNDERSTANDING THE CONNECTIONS
We all want our body's functioning at their best so we can enjoy the various activities in our lives. However, when your body endures the constant pounding experienced by professional football players, keeping it functioning properly and pain free is raised to a completely new level.
Professional football player Ben Leber is a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings. Leber was exposed to chiropractic care at an early age and understands the connection between overall health and chiropractic care.
"I grew up with chiropractic care from an early age. My mother worked for a chiropractor as an assistant for many years and it was perfectly normal for me as a kid to get weekly adjustments.
"Sometimes I go into a treatment feeling all out of whack and other times I don't have any real pain, but in the end I ALWAYS feel great. I walk away with a feeling of fluidity and a more relaxed state of mind.
"It is impossible to quantify how much chiropractic has helped my quality of life as well as my job. Being a professional football player, I am often sore and banged up and I always turn to chiropractic treatment for help. It is not only good for general body recovery but also it is very injury specific. I turned to chiropractic treatment when I was recovering from a broken foot, a torn knee ligament, a torn shoulder ligament, and I still get treatment on a couple bulging discs in my neck. With each injury, my doctor was able to provide relief from scar tissue, apply modalities to help stimulate bone regeneration and give fascia release where needed. To sum it up, without chiropractic medicine I would not be where I am now.
"As a professional football player, I trust my body to the care of my Chiropractor. To those who haven't experienced chiropractic treatment, I would say, 'if you are looking to enhance your mental and physical well-being, you have to try chiropractic care.' Chiropractic treatment is very much a mainstream practice and it is a very safe and fulfilling service. Think of it as, 'dynamic massage.'
"Chiropractic care will forever be a part of my life and my family's lives. My wife is a huge supporter of it and we currently take our 4-month- old daughter to receive care, and have been since she was a few weeks old. My hope is that I will one day take my grandkids to see their chiropractor."
Ben Leber, Minnesota Vikings Linebacker
Many musculoskeletal complaints arise from injuries
sustained in sports. Each year we see athletic performance draw closer to the
limits of human potential. Understanding the biomechanical principles involved
helps us to prevent injury and restore functional integrity and stability
through rehabilitation. While our lever-like extremities transmit forces and motion
at a distance, they also favor musculoskeletal injuries by amplifying forces
acting on the body's neuromusculoskeletal system.
The sheer volume of time put into training by professional athletes is often
quite remarkable. For example, runners may compete and train over 200 miles per
week, swimmers may spend four or five hours in the water daily, and the
acquisition of skills for an event such as a pentathlon may utilize even longer
periods per day. Thus, the exploitation of athletic prowess can easily be
disrupted by major and minor injury problems.
There are good reasons why the athlete should seek a sports chiropractor
for the treatment and rehabilitation of a sports injury. Active people are
physically and emotionally different from sedentary ones. Most physicians have
not had special training in sports medicine or rehabilitation. Consequently,
even outstanding physicians who don't treat athletes regularly often make
mistakes in the diagnosis and treatment of athletes' neuromusculoskeletal
problems.
The opportunity of being the team chiropractic doctors for the Alexandria Blizzard Hockey Team is a unique opportunity for our office. This is rare in the
general chiropractic practice. Young athletes are often in the peak of physical
condition and motivation, which accounts for a rapid rate of recovery. While our professional prerequisites are obtained in the regular chiropractic
education, on-site athletic care is often a far different experience than that
of general practice. Innumerable cranial, spinal, and extremity contusions,
strains, sprains, fractures, subluxations, dislocations, and soft tissue trauma
are encountered by our staff each and every season.
It is also observed that the cumulative effects of constant athletic small
stresses over a long duration can give rise to the same difficulties as severe
sudden stress. Spinal injuries in sports constitute only about three percent of
all athletic injuries. Thus, we are the best prepared to manage
the various joint and musculoskeletal injuries that occur in and away from the spine.
While conditioning is emphasized in athletics, the motivation is frequently
on winning, rather than on prevention of injury. While this seems illogical, our staff at Life Quest Chiropractic and Rehabilitation handling athletic injuries understand how to
properly evaluate and provide services. The development of cooperation between family physicians and our office helps to reduce the problem
of conflicting opinions, often delivered to an already confused athlete. The
typical family doctor has little knowledge of the practicalities involved in
specialized sports injury management, and should accept logical procedures and
recommendations when explained by our office.
Life Quest's approach toward athletic injuries has demonstrated that
everyone is better served by having the injured player promptly and ably
treated, thereby obtaining recovery before irreparable damage is done. We become not only the doer, but also the teacher. With our special interest in athletes we are prepared to handle their
injuries, and in turn pass information on to other physicians as needed. It
must be recognized that in the management of athletic injuries, the patient
must get complete recovery, or he or she is no longer an athlete. The following
concepts (the "Five A's") utilizing chiropractic
treatment have proved to be of great value:
1. Accept athletics. Life Quest recognizes the value of competitive
athletics; that is vital to the patient to be restored to competitive
athletics. If we fail in this, the patient-doctor relationship
suffers and rapport is lost. The doctor who depreciates the player's
ambition should not be treating the athlete.
2. Avoid expediency. Outside influence must not be permitted to outweigh
sound chiropractic judgment. Many pressing factors will try to influence the decision of treatment and return to play. All concerned are extremely unwilling to believe that
the player is really hurt. The athlete's desire to compete, the fear of
"failing" teammates, the parents' desire to see their child excel,
the coach's hope that the player is not really hurt, all must be ignored if the
proper conclusion is to be reached.
3. Adopt the best method of treatment. Our evaluation of the nature
and extent of injury is the controlling factor in the choice of treatment.
If we really believe that one method is distinctly better than another, we recommend it and then carry it out. This is an entirely objective
decision.
4. Act promptly. A definitive decision on the proper method of treatment is made at the earliest possible moment, and then carried out. Delay has
been conclusively shown to be the difference between success and failure of treatment.
5. Achieve perfection. Make complete recovery our goals. While
this may not be possible in every case, it must always be the goal. The athlete
is basically in good condition and can well tolerate any reasonable measure if
it serves to increase the chances for a complete recovery.
Services Offered
- Treatment and care of Extremities Injuries such at
tendonitis, sprains, muscle strains, plantar fascitis, carpal tunnel syndrome,
bursitis, foot, knee, shoulder, and wrist pain, etc.
- Treatment of TMJ Syndrome. Popping, clicking, grinding,
locking, pain
- Soft Tissue Mobilization. Utilizing the different Soft Tissue Techniques. An extremely
effective technique that aids in the removal of scar tissue and myofascial
adhesions in both acute and chronic cases thereby increasing range of motion
and decreasing pain with an immediate and lasting effect.
- Rehabilitation of injuries to ensure a full and lasting
recovery.
- Custom orthotics using Foot Levelers to correct biomechanical faults that may be
causing foot, ankle, knee, hip, or low back pain.
- Nutritional support for creating the best environment for healing of injuries.
Who Uses Chiropractic Care???
"I am very fortunate to have, so-to-speak, my in-house chiropractor,
Dr. Franco Colombu, as my own personal chiropractor. So, I visit Franco
regularly, and he comes over to my house. He adjusts my wife, my kids, me,
everybody gets an adjustment. And we feel always great when Franco leaves. Even
when I have athletic injuries he's always there for me, and helps me. So it's
really terrific, and I know that first hand. That's why I always will be
traveling around, all over the world, talking highly about the profession of
chiropractic. You chiropractic doctors are really miracle workers, and that's
why it's really great to have you here, part of the Arnold Classic. Because,
like I said, the Arnold Classic and Fitness Weekend are about health and about
fitness and preventive care."
"If it were not for Chiropractic, I would not have won the gold
medal."
"Being a chiropractor patient has really helped me immensely."
"...lifting weights and seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis has
made me a better golfer. I've been going to Chiropractors for as long as I can
remember. It's as important to my training as practicing my swing.”
"Chiropractic care works for me."
Tiger Woods
The Oct. 10 episode highlighted Smith’s relationship with his doctor of chiropractic, Robert Parker, DC. The video footage showed Smith receiving a few “minor repairs” before this week’s Samba competition. After receiving treatment from Dr. Parker, Smith went on to deliver “the best samba of the night,” according to head judge Len Goodman.
Emmit Smith, Dallas Cowboys
"Basically, I've always believed in chiropractic care. My parents
introduced my brothers and myself to chiropractic care when we were very young
and it's been an instrumental part of my life. I believe that it allowed me to
do gymnastics when I was very little and allowed me to stay in sports and lead
a very active lifestyle. I think it's natural to have aches and pains when you
bend your body in directions it wasn't necessarily meant to [be bent in], so it
makes sense to go to a chiropractor to get my body back in alignment. Ever
since I can remember, I've gone to a chiropractor. "
Ms. Fitness USA, Sarah Harding
Other Athletes Under Chiropractic Care
These famous people all have the ability to choose any health care in the world, but they have unanimously chosen chiropractic for it's health and life enhancing capabilities!
Fitness ExpertsDr. Joyce Verdel - "Chiropractic helps athletes and people working out, engaging in a sport or even just performing daily functions such as walking and sitting, to operate at their peak levels of performance without pain. I highly recommend that you pay a visit to your local chiropractor."
Athletes
A research study conducted by Drs. Anthony Lauro and Brian Mouch, published in the journal of Chiropractic research and Clinical Investigation, 1991, indicated chiropractic care might improve athletic performance by as much as 16.7% over a two week period. The report also concluded that subluxation-free athletes react faster, coordinate better, execute fine movements with improved accuracy and precision, amounting to an overall better athlete.
Top professionals in every sport are under chiropractic care to increase health and performance. The following are just a few sports stars under chiropractic care.
Mindy Mylrea, World Champion - "We put a great deal of stress on our bodies, so chiropractic is very helpful."
Bernard Horn, Men's Champion - "My chiropractor is really phenomenal. I've gotten stronger and greatly increased my flexibility."
Larry & Todd Wise, World Champions
Jose Canseco - "I've found that it's a great stress reliever to get adjusted. It takes away a lot of the tightness in the muscles"
Wade Boggs - "Last year I found Dr. Newman (chiropractor), and I have been seeing him ever since. I have been pain-free and feeling terrific. I swear by it. Now, it is just maintenance and keeping in line so the nerves don't touch."
Greg Mathews - Credits chiropractic with helping him get off the disabled list and overcome a career-threatening slump!
Ryan Sandberg - His wife Cindy explained, "He's had some awesome games after getting an adjustment. He was frequently adjusted before games."
Mark McGwire
John Smolz
Chris Sabo
Robby Thompson
Kirt Manwarning
Mark Portugal
Brett Butler
Wes Parker
Don Sutton
Roberto Clemente
Rick Monday
Jeff Reardon
Dan Schayes - "I use chiropractic as my main source of healthcare."
Gerald Wilkins - "I didn't know how much I could improve until I started seeing a chiropractor. Since I've been in chiropractic, I've improved by leaps and bounds, both mentally and physically."
Michael Jordan
Charles Barkley
Robert Parish
Jack Sikma
Scottie Pippin
John Stockton
Kenny Sousa
Joel Thompson
Brent Steiner
Fred Klaven
Lee Haney, Mr. Olympia (1984-91)
Clifta Coulter, Miss USA
John Defrendis, Mr.
Grace Lewis, World Champion Power Lifter, Record Holder
Kevin Levrone, National Champion
Rick Valente, ESPN's "Body Shaping"
Evander Holyfield - "I have to have an adjustment before I go into the ring. I do believe in chiropractic. I found that going to a chiropractor three times a week helps my performance. The majority of boxers go to get that edge."
Rocky Marciano, Heavyweight Champion 1956
Jack Dempsy
Tony Lopez
Michael Carbojol
Muhammad Ali
Joe Montana - "I've been seeing a chiropractor and he's really been helping me out a lot. Chiropractic's been a big part of my game."
Joe Montana and 35 of his teammates received chiropractic care right before the 1990 Super Bowl Game.
Emmit Smith - "I go see Dr. Bill (chiropractor) when I get bent out of shape on Sundays. Playing in a football game is like being in 30-40 car accidents."
Crawford Kerr - "Dr. Bill (chiropractor) kept me on the field many times."
Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers and every other NFL team
Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and all other NHL teams seek chiropractic care
Ed "Too Tall" Jones
Charles Haley
Roger Craig
Bob Hayes
Sean Landeta
Paul Fraze
Ricky Bell
Dammone Johnson
Alex Karras
Mark May
Gary Clark
Terry Kirby
Keith Jackson
Mike Ingram
Mike Timson
Bill Fralic
Warren Moon
Dan Marino
Terance Mathis
Gary Downs
Byron Hanspard
Ruffin Hamilton
Craig Saur
Lester Archambeau
Ronnie Bradford
Tim Dwight
Bob Christian
Joe Profit
Lenny McGill
Keith Crawford
Coey Louchiey
Fred Funk, PGA Tour Professional - "I do believe chiropractic has really benefited my game. Over the last three years, I feel I have become more exposed to, and knowledgeable about, the benefits of chiropractic for me and my game. I realize how your body can get out of balance, and chiropractic care helps....."
Barbara Bunkowsky, LPGA Tour Professional - "I have found that chiropractic keeps me flexible and pain-free so that I can perform at my highest level. The benefits of chiropractic have improved my golf swing, putting less stress and strain on my body and allowing me to be a more productive golfer. I believe it also helps prevent other associated injuries that are very common on the LPGA tour."
Tiger Woods
Patti Rizzo
Sandra Palmer
Lynn Connelly
Beth Daniel
Jan Stephenson
Donna White
Kim Baur
Patty Sheehan
Lynn Adams
Sally Little
Amy Alcott
Mary Lou Retton
Olga Korbut
Detroit Redwings Team
Wayne Gretzky
Brett Hull
George Angat Jr., US Lightweight Champion - "The split second that can be added to my speed by my chiropractor could be crucial."
Manager-Denis Doucette - "Chiropractic care gives him that little advantage, that little extra strength and quickness and allows him his best opportunity to regain his title."
Dan O'Brien, Decathlon - "You obviously can't compete at your fullest if you're not in alignment. And your body can't heal if your back is not in alignment. It was the holistic idea that I liked about chiropractic and that is what track and field is about. Every track and field athlete that that I have ever met has seen a chiropractor at one time or another. In track and field, it is absolutely essential. Chiropractic care is one of the things I think that no one has denied or refuted."
Joe Greene, Long Jump - "I know chiropractic helped me. It helped my performance and I feel better."
Donovan Baily, 100 Meter
Alberto Juantorena, 400 & 800 Meter
Bruce Jenner, Decathlon
Mac Wilkins, Discus
Dwight Stones, Hi-jump
Edwin Moses, Hurdles
Maria Maricich, Skiing
Suzy Chaffee, Skiing
Mary Decker, Track
Willie Banks, Triple Jump
Joseph Arvay, Wrestler
Nancy Ditz, Marathon
Sports chiropractic and chiropractic rehabilitation has received a
considerable amount of attention in recent years. Some of the reasons for the
increased awareness and interest are the publicity afforded the injuries of
professional athletes; the injuries resulting from the increased participation
by individuals in physical fitness and recreational athletics; and the
government's role in encouraging physical fitness through the president's
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Sports chiropractic and chiropractic rehabilitation
have developed at a considerable pace over the last decade as well. As with other areas
of chiropractic, where knowledge and understanding are rapidly expanding. Thus, appropriate and timely rehabilitation
protocols are essential. Trust in us to be your team chiropractor. Our doctor's training and schooling, make us a great choice to care for your athlete. If you or your athlete is dealing with an injury, make Life Quest your choice, to get you back in the game!