A scientific study published in the December 2009 issue of the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine further documents the benefits of chiropractic care for athletes. The stated objective of this study noted that there has been an increased usage of chiropractic care for athletes who wish to increase their performance. This study specifically looks at golfers to see their improvement under chiropractic. 

In this study golfers at 2 different clubs in São Paulo, Brazil, were studied. A total of 43 golfers were divided into 2 random groups for comparison in this study. One group received only a stretch program while the second group received the same stretch program in addition to chiropractic care.

All participants in this study were initially asked to perform three full swing maneuvers. Measurements of the average distance they were able to hit the ball for the 3 swings were made. Then the golfers were put through either just the stretching program, or the stretching plus chiropractic depending on which test group they were a part of. After either just stretching, or chiropractic plus stretching, the participants were asked to repeat the same three swing maneuvers and measurements were taken. This entire process was repeated for a period of four weeks over the course of the study.

To maintain consistency, the study noted that of the 43 golfers in this study, the average age, handicap, and initial swing were comparable among all golfers. The results showed that there was no improvement in what the study called the “full swing performance”, (average distance the golfers were able to hit the ball), in the group that only did the stretching program prior to hitting the golf balls.

However, after the fourth session of stretching and chiropractic care, the golfers in this group showed a statistically significant improvement in their “full swing performance” translating into better distance when hitting golf balls.  The authors of the study concluded, “Chiropractic in association with muscle stretching may be associated with an improvement of full-swing performance when compared with muscle stretching alone.”

Dr. DeRusha’s comment:

To read how chiropractic care improved, our patient, William Schmidt’s golf game click here and scroll down to this article: “Golf Game Improved With Chiropractic Care”.

For further information you can contact Dr. DeRusha at Paint Creek Chiropractic Center, 248-601-4540,  in downtown Rochester, Michigan.

A news release from the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) on February 5, 2010 also printed on the EarthTimes website opens with the statement, “For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games, the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada, will include chiropractic care inside the Olympic Village Polyclinic, a multi-disciplinary facility that offers comprehensive health care and medical services.” 

The release notes that chiropractors have been part of the Olympic games by helping athletes as part of their individual country’s healthcare staffs. However, this time in addition to the chiropractors from the individual nations, chiropractic care will be offered by the host nation of Canada at the Polyclinic which is open for all athletes from around the world.

The F4CP release notes that throughout the years, chiropractic has become a mainstay in the care of world-class athletes, leading to a growing number of doctors of chiropractic included in the Olympic Games. Countless athletes attribute the care they receive from their chiropractors, working along-side other health care professionals, as a key to properly preparing their bodies to perform optimally.

The release also reports that chiropractic care has experienced several major moments in Olympic history. The first may well have been when a chiropractor, Dr. Leroy Perry, provided chiropractic care to athletes representing Antigua during the 1976 Games in Montreal, Canada.  The F4CP also noted that during the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, NY, another chiropractor, Dr. George Goodheart, became the first official chiropractor appointed to the U.S. Olympic team. Since then each subsequent Olympic Games and Pan American Games, the U.S. teams, along with a growing number of other national teams, have included at least one doctor of chiropractic on their medical staff.

Dr. Bill Moreau, a chiropractor recently promoted to the Director of Sports Medicine Clinics for the US Olympic Committee, stated, “Inclusion inside the Polyclinic is another major milestone for the chiropractic profession, and we are grateful to the Host City of Vancouver, the head of Medical Services at the Polyclinic, Jack Taunton, M.D., and to Robert Armitage, D.C., who helped make this possible.”

Dr. DeRusha’s comment:

Chiropractic is vital for all athletes.  Not only is it helpful in the prevention of  injury while participating in a sport but if injury occurs, it actually helps speed up the healing process.

For further information you can contact Dr. DeRusha at Paint Creek Chiropractic Center, 248-601-4540,  in downtown Rochester, Michigan.

Several news stories reported on chiropractors going to the Beijing Olympics to work with the athletes.  One such story appearing in the  August 06, 2008 Business Wire, noted that four Doctors of Chiropractic have joined the 62-member U.S. Olympic healthcare team in Beijing, China. The article notes that since the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, New York, chiropractors have provided chiropractic care to the Olympic athletes. 

This year chiropractors will assume an even greater role in the integrated healthcare team, which includes medical doctors, massage therapists, and certified athletic trainers. One of the Chiropractors going to Beijing, Dr. Ted Forcum commented, “Chiropractic fulfills a niche need, not only by treating injuries but also by aiding in recovery and positively impacting athletic performance.”

 “Chiropractic takes a non-invasive, drug-free approach to healthcare, a position that is now highly regarded among Olympic athletes and their trainers who must meet strict eligibility requirements to qualify for the Olympic Games,” adds Dr. Forcum. “Chiropractic care is particularly valuable for pain management, and offers athletes highly effective solutions for achieving optimal performance without the use of prescription drugs.”

Anther story on August 10, 2008 in Chad.co.uk, out of the United Kingdom, reports that Dr. Thomas Jeppesen from Mansfield England is also helping the athletes of Britain.  Just prior to his departure, Dr. Jeppesen commented, “It’s something new and it’s a really exciting opportunity. To be able to work with top athletes will be a great experience and it will be good to see the effects our work has on them. We are aiming to be there supporting and helping the athletes and getting the best out of their bodies during the game.” In addition, a July 24, 2008 Market Watch article reported that Dr. Camille Reagan is the chiropractor with the Columbian Olympic team.

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress noted that the nations of Sweden, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, China, and others will have chiropractors with their staffs to help their respective athletes.

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 their going out of their way to get a network going.  I know I do have a bunch of guys in a vast majority of 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 Hamel’s 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 their 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.    

Over the past 12 years I have had the opportunity to treat many different high school and college athletes with chiropractic care.  Chiropractic can help them spend less time on the disabled list and more time in the game.  Many professional athletes credit chiropractic with keeping them functioning at top performance.

Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Joe Montana, and Johnny Damon are just a few professional athletes past and present that have utilized chiropractic care as part of there health routine.

Are you an athlete or weekend warrior that needs to get back in the game?  Call Dr. Eric DeRusha at Paint Creek Chiropractic Center to schedule an appointment to have your posture and spine evaluated.  Paint Creek Chiropractic Center is located in downtown Rochester Michigan.  Our phone # is 248-601-4540.

“I’ve been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember.  It’s as important to my training as practicing my swing.”  - Tiger Woods

            For the sixteenth consecutive year, global superstar and now California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was the highlight of the Symposium on Natural Fitness organized by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA), held February29 – March 1, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio.

            Each year the chiropractic event is held in conjunction with the Arnold Schwarzenegger Fitness Weekend and Sports Festival.  This event, known by many as simply “The Arnold”, is the biggest fitness festival in the world with over 15,000 athletes competing in over 30 different sports competitions, many of which are conducted at the Olympic level.

            Governor Schwarzenegger is a vigorous advocate of chiropractic care for people of all ages and even holds and honorary chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College.  The Governor personally spoke to the Chiropractors and other attendees at the symposium about his own experience with chiropractic.  He credits the care he has received throughout the years for his success in bodybuilding and for his ability to maintain such a rigorous public service, travel and appearance schedule.

            Governor Schwarzenegger told the chiropractic audience, “As Governor, you have a chance every day to help people.  This is what we have in common …. We are friends of chiropractors because chiropractors are dealing with health, fitness, strength and energy …. That’s what chiropractors are all about, helping people, to make them strong and fit and get their lives back together.  Here we are now in our 16^th year of partnership and I just wanted to tell you how proud we are of all of you, and how happy we are that we have joined together in this great program.”

            Governor Schwarzenegger also spoke about his own personal experience with chiropractic, telling the audience: “I have been the beneficiary of chiropractic for many years and many of you know Dr. Franco Columbu, a great body builder and good friend.  I watched him go through chiropractic college, studying hard to be a great chiropractor, and I know from personal experience what great care you take of people.  Also, my whole family has had the benefit of chiropractors and we are all grateful for what you are able to do.

            Held annually in Columbus, Ohio in conjunction with the Arnold Fitness Festival, the ICA Natural Fitness Symposium focuses on the close relationship between chiropractic, fitness and health.  In a March 10, 2008 release on the symposium by the ICA they note, “Chiropractic offers athletes in all sports and of all levels of ability a natural, drug-free way to enhance peak performance, prevent injury and sustain a demanding training schedule.”