WHO IS A SPORTS CHIROPRACTOR ?
A sports chiropractor is a licensed chiropractic physician (by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation) that after finishing a 4 year program has completed an additional accredited two year postgraduate curriculum that is recognized as a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), OR a three year accredited post-doctorate program designation as a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP)
A Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP®) has completed a minimium of 100 hours of post doctoral education in specialized sports medicine topics and must pass a board examination.
A Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP®) is the highest level of achievement. The doctor has completed over 300 hours of postgraduate classroom hours, plus over 100 hours of on-field experience. The DACBSP must pass a rigorous written and practical exam and must have publish a paper in a peer reviewed clinical journal.
(Both certification programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA), a nationally multi-industry organization that ensures certifications programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry, including objective assessment of professional knowledge and competence.)
10 Things You Should Know
About Certified Sports Chiropractors
They..
1. Possess specialized knowledge of sports injury and physical fitness
2. Offer individualized care that extends beyond spinal manipulation to include direct treatment of muscles, joints and connective tissue.
3. Can help optimize performance by applying an advanced understanding of musculoskeletal function and athletic training.
4. Are experts in the function of the body during movement, from high level athletes to everyday activities.
5. Focus on global body wellness and reaching optimal functioning, not just reducing pain.
6. Are immersed in the latest sports medicine trends & treatment techniques.
7. Can integrate seamlessly with other healthcare practitioners to optimize your medical care.
8. Are passionate proponents of physical fitness and skilled sports medicine providers.
9. Will help your achieve your peak performance with a breath and depth of knowledge found only with their medical sports specific educational training.
10. Comprise the top tier of the chiropractic profession.
Sports chiropractors focus on the conservative management, treatment & rehabilitation of acute/chronic musculoskeletal injuries and overuse syndrome.
The practitioners, of this branch of chiropractic, utilize not only manipulation but various manual soft tissue therapies, rehabilitation/movement exercises, as well as electro therapies, nutritional advice, taping/bracing and functional orthotics.
Sports chiropractors are trained in the utilization of a multi-disciplinary treatment approach in order to provide the best care for every athlete.
A Brief History of Sports Chiropractic
A chiropractic sports medicine specialist first began treating at the Olympic games in Montreal in 1976 when Dr. Leroy Perry began working with the Aruba team.
The first official appointment of a chiropractor, Dr. George Goodheart, to a US team was during the 1980 Winter Olympics Games in Lake Placid New York. Since then sport chiropractors have been included with all the US national teams.
The US team sent only FOUR chiropractors to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games where Dr. Mike Reed DC, DACBSP served the US team not only as a chiropractor but as the chiropractic medical director of the Performance Service Division of the USOC.
At the 2012 Olympic Games in London England, the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia and the 2016 Olympic Games in Riio de Janeiro, the official US medical team brought EIGHT chiropractors in addition to the full time, and current medical director of the USOC, Dr. William Moreau, DC, DACBSP
Presently, only CCSP or DACBSP certified chiropractors are allowing to treat athletes for the USOC.
Subsequently participation of sports chiropractors has dramatically increased at all national/international/world competition not only in the United States but by many European Sports Medicine governing organizations.
CURRENTLY
All 32 NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE TEAMS HAVE A OFFICIAL TEAM CHIROPRACTOR
30 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS HAVE A OFFICIAL TEAM CHIROPRACTOR
36 NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE TEAMS HAVE A TEAM CHIROPRACTOR
ALL MOST ALL NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION TEAMS HAVE A TEAM CHIROPRACTOR