Sports

The above is the headline of a feature story that appeared in the August 11, 2006 issue of the Post-Crescent, a local news service for the Appleton, Wisconsin area. The article written by their staff writer, Wendy Harris, takes an overview look at the chiropractic profession and interviews two local chiropractors as sources of information.

The article starts out by chronicling the story of a young middle school girl named Rachel who had been suffering from frequent migraines. Her mother, concerned for her daughter took her to a chiropractor who upon examination discovered that Rachel had several congenitally fused bones in her neck. Apparently these bones had also moved and were irritating nerves and creating young Rachel’s problems.

The article then fast forwards to Rachel at 29 and notes that even with her congenital defects she is virtually migraine free, suffering only one or two episodes per year. The article notes that Rachel credits her chiropractor. “I used to get migraines at least once a month, and sometimes three times a week,” states Rachel. “They are really infrequent now. My last migraine was six months ago.”

Wendy Harris, the author of the article, notes that chiropractic is presently the United State’s third largest primary health care profession. Only medicine and dentistry have more practitioners. She also noted that according to the Annals of Internal Medicine, there are approximately 190 million patient visits to chiropractors each year.

The article also quotes Dr. Mark Hallett, a family practice and sports medicine physician who is also medical director of ThedaCare Orthopedics Plus in Appleton Wisconsin. He states, “There have been more studies that have come out documenting the effectiveness of chiropractic and the cost effectiveness of it.” The article notes that the result of this is that medical doctors are increasingly referring patients to chiropractors.

A study published in the May 2006 issue of the scientific periodical, The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, looked at how chiropractic adjustments would affect relative times to perform movements in a controlled test.

Ten patients from a private chiropractic practice participated in this prospective, randomized, and controlled trial. These ten patients received chiropractic adjustments to areas determined to have vertebral subluxations. A separate group of individuals who did not receive chiropractic care were also tested to have a baseline for comparison with those receiving the chiropractic adjustments.

Movement time was measured on a computer screen where subjects were asked to move a cursor onto a target.

The results showed that all those in the study who received chiropractic adjustments for subluxation correction had significantly improved movement times. This was in stark contrast to the control group that did not receive chiropractic care where only one participant showed improvement in their movement times.

The average improvement in movement time for the group that received chiropractic care was 183 ms (mille-seconds), which represents a 9.2% improvement. This can be compared to the control group that showed only a 29 ms, or 1.7% improvement. The study researchers reported, “The difference (improvement) scores after the intervention were significantly greater for the chiropractic group compared with the control group.”

The authors showed the importance of the results of this study in their conclusion, “The results of this study demonstrated a significant improvement in movement time with chiropractic care. These results suggest that spinal adjustments may influence motor behavior.” The ramifications are large for those involved in sports, as these results suggest improved performance is possible with chiropractic care.

Once again for 2005 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared as the feature speaker at the International Chiropractors Association Sports and Fitness Symposium. The event was held March 4-5, 2005 in conjunction with the Arnold Bodybuilding and Fitness Classic. For each of the past 13 years Arnold, (now Governor Schwarzenegger) has taken time out of his Fitness Classic to make an appearance and speak to the chiropractors. In addition to his speech he also takes the time to take a picture with each chiropractor present.

Governor Schwarzenegger has been a long time supporter of chiropractic and has said so on many occasions. He strongly believes that chiropractic is a natural approach to health and many people benefit from chiropractic care.

“I am so happy to be back among such good friends because we are really partners in the same mission, getting people well and keeping them healthy through natural means,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. ” As partners, we know the relationship between exercise and health, and chiropractors are the best profession to help make this happen. Chiropractors are truly the most noble of health professionals because of the good that you do. I know in my own experience, and with my own family, chiropractic has helped me and kept me going when other people would have had to just give up because they couldn’t make it. You all know Dr. Franco Columbu is a great chiropractor and he has been with me for so many years, in competitions, in making movies; he is like my own personal chiropractor, always there to take care of me, and that has been a big part of my success.”

This year Governor Schwarzenegger also made a special point of speaking about school lunches. He stated that he believes that children should not have junk food present in the school. He said that children should have healthy food to help them live healthier lives.

An interesting story appeared in the sports section of the February 15, 2008 issue of the Philadelphia Enquirer. The story titled, “Phillies getting Hamels his chiropractor,” is about the Philadelphia Philly pitcher who requested his team get a team chiropractor. The team has agreed to add one to their staff.

When informed that his team will be getting a chiropractor Hamels responded in the article, “Really? I’ve always thought it was beneficial. Ever since I’ve used one, it’s done wonders for me. This is nice. It’s great that they’re going out of their way to get a network going. I know I do have a bunch of guys in a vast majority of the cities that I’ve been able to go to. If they’re able to get those guys, that’s great. But it doesn’t matter. They’re putting in the effort, which is good. I definitely can’t complain.”

In response to Hamels’ request, Phillies athletic trainer Scott Sheridan said, “That’s the type of stuff you do every year. I certainly think that the players’ needs change as the game goes on. We’re going to go through times when you find a group of players that need one thing, and we have to provide it. Certainly, it’s our job as the medical team and administration to adapt to our needs. I don’t have any problems with chiropractic care. Cole and I have had open discussions about it. I’m trying to provide him something that can help him.”

The article notes that the Phillies hope to have a network of chiropractors in place when they are on the road. To accomplish this the Phillies have received help from the Philadelphia NFL football team, the Eagles, as the NFL already has a network of chiropractors in place for their players.

The article notes that Hamels believes that not having chiropractic care played a role in his being on the DL (disabled list) last year. “It’s a vast majority of things that I could have done to prevent it, but I know it (chiropractic) would have helped,” he said. The article notes that Hamels thinks this year with chiropractic 20 wins is a very attainable goal.

Poorly fitting athletic shoes can hurt your stride and therefore your spine. This information was reported in a Dec. 6, 2005 release appearing on PRNewswire. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), footwear plays an important role in the functional biomechanics of the human body.

The article also reports that improperly-fitting shoes can do more than hurt a runner’s stride, they can upset a person’s overall biomechanics and lead to pain throughout the body. Dr. Jeffery Solomon, president of the ACA’s Council on Sports Injuries & Physical Fitness noted, “Your feet are the foundation of your body, and if they are not properly supported you can have problems anywhere from the bottom of your feet up through your neck.”

The article posted several tips to consider before a runner should purchase their next pair of running shoes. These are:

Be sure to match the right shoe to the right activity.

If possible, purchase running shoes from a specialty store or from someone knowledgeable about matching the correct type of running shoes to your foot type and stride pattern.

Select shoes with adequate cushioning in the soles, which helps absorb the shock of your feet hitting the ground. Cushioning is especially important when running on hard surfaces, such as pavement or sidewalks.

Check for adequate room at the widest part of your foot. The shoe shouldn’t be tight, but your foot shouldn’t slide around, either.

Consider custom made orthotic insoles. Orthotics can address structural abnormalities in the feet and the resultant biomechanical faults.

The above is the advice from the Colorado Chiropractic Association (CCA) and appeared as a PRNewswire release on May 27, 2004. The article starts out by noting that bending, reaching, and digging in the garden can provide a great workout, but if you’re not careful you can get hurt.

The article suggests that a warm-up and cool-down period is just as important for gardening activities as it is for sports. The CCA also recommends stretching before engaging in gardening. They also recommend that if you feel aches and pains from gardening, and the pain persists, consider visiting a doctor of chiropractic.

The article gives several tips for stretching that should be done before gardening.

Stand up and prop your heel on a back door step or stool with your knee straight. Bend forward until you feel a slight pull in the muscle at the back of the thigh, called the hamstring. Hold the position for 20 seconds, then relax. Do the stretch once more, then repeat with the other leg.

Stand up and put your right hand against a wall or other stable surface. Bend your left knee and grab your ankle with you left hand. Pull your heel toward your buttocks to stretch the quadriceps muscles at the front of your thigh. Hold that position for 20 seconds, relax and do it again. Repeat with the other leg.

Weave your fingers together above your head with your palms up. Lean to one side for 10 seconds to stretch the upper body, then reverse. Repeat two or three times.

“Hug your best friend:” Wrap your arms around yourself and rotate to one side, as far as you can go. Hold it for 10 seconds, then reverse.

Virginia Tech’s football team has had an impressive record over the last several years. Head Coach Frank Beamer took the “Hokies” to a Big East Conference championship where they finished number 2 in the Associated Press. Some of the credit for their physical health and recovery from injuries is attributed to chiropractic care.

Dr. Greg Tilley, a chiropractor from Blacksburg Virginia started caring for various members of the team after approaching the team physician to discuss how he could assist the team. “In the beginning there were times when I only saw one or two patients,” says Dr. Tilley. “Now I have been allocated an office in the sports complex where I have my own portable table, and they have a schedule where the trainers can schedule times for their athletes to see me.

Junior quarterback Grant Noel began receiving adjustments in July of 2001. He feels that chiropractic gives him better flexibility and range of motion. “Just getting my back adjusted and loose helps with my trunk mobility as far as twisting and throwing.”

With the success and testimonials of the football team, other athletes have also begun chiropractic. Athletes from the schools swimming, diving, lacrosse, soccer, and basketball programs have begun regular adjustments. Mike Gentry, the assistant athletic director for athletic performance, summed it up by saying, “I see chiropractic as having two functions from my perspective. It helps our athletes return to competition faster if they have sustained some injuries, and secondly, it seems to be preventative, in the sense that it keeps our athletes more mobile and flexible and feeling better.”

Jonathan Lipnicki is the child star of movies such as Jerry McGuire and the two Stuart Little movies. He has been under chiropractic care most of his life. In fact, on one of his early interviews on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, he stated that he wanted to be a chiropractor when he grows up. Apparently his future employment will not be as a chiropractor since his acting career has continued to skyrocket. However, he still wants chiropractic to be a part of his life as he stated at a recent chiropractic convention appearance that he may not become a chiropractor, but he’d like to marry one.

Lipnicki, now 15, has also shown his love for chiropractic by taking on the role as a spokesperson for Pediatric Chiropractic. In an interview published in the January 2005 issue of Chiropractic Economics, he noted that he received his first adjustment when he was just a few months old and he’s been receving adjustments all of his life. He stated, “It’s a good way to live. You perform at your best, whether it’s academically or physically.”

He also showed his support for a chiropractic lifestyle in an interview for the February 26, 2005 issue of Dynamic Chiropractic where he commented, “If you want to perform at your ultimate best, if you want to be the best you can be in sports and in school, mentally, physically – chiropractic is the way, because everything has to do with your nervous system, and if you can clear up any subluxation in there, you’ll be pretty much OK.”

Lipnicki will be doing public service announcements and speaking to the press in a effort to raise the consciousness of children and their parents concerning chiropractic and a healthy lifestyle. He made his reasoning clear by saying in the Chiropractic Economics article, “I want to be part of the solution by telling kids. I love this wellness lifestyle.”

A feature story appearing in the June 30, 2005 edition of the Catonsville Times in Maryland celebrated the 10 year anniversary that a chiropractor had been helping the Baltimore Ravens Professional Football team. Ten years ago the Ravens came to town. At that time Dr. Doug Miller (right) started his relationship with the team that has lasted since then.

Dr. Miller became the team’s chiropractor by contacting the Ravens shortly after their move from Cleveland and telling officials about the services he provided to other sports teams in the area. He was on the playing field when the Baltimore Ravens won the 2000 Superbowl. He can also be found in the locker room and on the field on most Sundays during football season.

Raven’s trainer Bill Tessendorf, refers most of the players that Dr. Miller sees for chiropractic care. Tessendorf, who has 32 years of experience as an NFL trainer explained, “A player favoring a knee or an ankle can cause alignment problems elsewhere. A chiropractor can help with a lot of those issues.”

Dr. Miller explained that chiropractic care still remains misunderstood. Most of his services are not necessarily related to the treatment of injuries. He explains, “It’s not just about relieving pain from backaches and injuries,” he said. “It’s about achieving optimum health. We can do a lot to help with the conditioning of muscles and joints.”

The article notes that presently almost every NFL team has a chiropractor on staff.

In the October 16, 1998 issue of the USA Today, was an article that featured Emmitt Smith, a football star from the Dallas Cowboys. Emmitt Smith is one of the best players in the game and in his ninth season as a professional. The article discusses his healthy lifestyle which includes regular chiropractic care. “I started doing this about four or five years ago,” Smith said. “I believe that what I’m doing is what helps me go on. I think Warren Moon, (Seattle’s 41 year old quarter back) does the same thing. So I’ve become a big believer in servicing my body and making sure it is lined up properly and functioning the way it is supposed to on Sunday.”

Smith joins an ever-growing list of professional athletes who regularly receive chiropractic adjustments. In June during the NBA basketball finals star players Scotty Pippin, and John Stockton were among those who received chiropractic care during breaks in the sixth and final game of the championship series. Even world heavyweight champion boxer Evander Holyfield has been under care for years and regularly receives adjustments during training as well as immediately prior to his fights. These athletes and many more recognize the importance of a subluxation free body for maximum performance and health.