How Sports Chiropractors Became A Part Of The Athlete’s Team
America’s Favorite Pasttime Popularizes Chiropractic Care For Athletes
Athletes have the same anatomy as the rest of us. The difference is in the degree of strain their body goes through performing the athletic activity. A little leaguer and a major leaguer have the same rules and basic equipment but the power generated in such a precise manner that distinguishes a talented athlete, takes a toll on the body. It is not uncommon for most professional athletes to seek retirement in their 40’s or even earlier, usually due to the cumulative strain and past injuries affecting their ability to perform as an athlete. Chiropractic care can help athletes perform at their best and have been credited with extending athletes’ careers.
Sports chiropractors are specifically trained to adjust joints and manipulate the soft-tissue in a manner to improve movement, force production and efficiency of the joints and muscles. They are also trained in first aid, emergency procedures and additional techniques such as taping, stretching, nutrition and other therapies to help their patients recover and perform better!
Baseball was one of the first sports that Chiropractic was noted as helping athletes not only recover from injuries but also improve athletic performance! I included the above picture of Babe Ruth receiving treatment but he was not the first!
Mordecai Brown, a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs at the time, was treated by a Chiropractor in 1911! Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio all credited Chiropractic for helping keep them healthy.
Chiropractors were included in the medical areas of the Olympics in 1976. This gradual integration even led to the election of Dr. Bill Moreau, DC to lead the US Olympic Committee (USOC) as Medical Director. Today, Chiropractors from around the world will be selected to serve as official Chiropractors for their nation’s competing team. Some athletes will even have their own personal chiropractor travel to the games to treat them while competing at the highest level!
Sports Chiropractors are now employed by most professional sports teams. They tour with professional golfers and even are present at mixed-martial arts events to care for the fighters.
Dr. Callan Martin holds advanced certifications in sports chiropractic through the American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians (ACBSP) and internationally he is certified through the International Federation of Sports Chiropractors (FICS). He also is on committees with the American Chiropractic Association’s Sports Council and regularly attends continuing education focused on providing care to high-level performers.
Even if you are not a current athlete, you may see improvement visiting a sports chiropractor who will provide the same care to you as an Olympian!
Give our office a call or e-mail if you would like to schedule an appointment! Send us a message through our website if you have any questions!