Chiropractic at the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Editor’s Note: Article provided by the Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport (FICS). This article contains additional content and photos not included in the print version.

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When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home.

In the successive years since, as the field of sports medicine evolved, chiropractic care became recognized more and more as a vital part of the training, health, and well-being to ensure peak performance in Olympic sport.

Paris 2024: Chiropractic for All

Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic” (the mission of the Fédération Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport – FICS).

“After more than 30 years of promoting Sports Chiropractic amongst the Olympic fraternity, FICS is starting to see the fruits of its toils coming through,” said Dr. Simon Lawson, International Sporting Federations commission chair for FICS. “With each Olympic cycle, more national teams, individual athletes and, more recently, through the IOC Medical Commission’s COPS (Chiropractic, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy & Sports Massage) program, the Olympic Polyclinic are starting to see greater access and utilization of sports chiropractic.”

“Whatever Needed to Be Done”

The social and professional interactions with people from all over the world was unparalleled at this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games. Among the chiropractors supporting the Olympic mission, vision, and philosophy in Paris was Dr. Jordan Knowlton-Key.

Working in the High Performance Center for Team USA during the Paralympics, he was part of an integrative sports medicine team of physicians, massage therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors, dieticians, strength and conditioning specialists, and support staff.

Per Dr. Knowlton-Key: “My role encompassed a wide gamut of activities, but overall I provided chiropractic services (i.e., adjustments/manipulative therapy for the spine and extremities), injury assessment/management, return-to-play management, rehabilitation, manual therapy, event/practice coverage, and a plethora of other awesome activities!

“However, when it came down to it, I was prepared to do whatever Team USA needed; whether that was moving mats to set up for a team coming in, doing laundry, muling ice out to the practice fields, or whatever else needed to be done!”

Dr. Wendy Mehaffey also worked with Team USA at the Games within the Village Sports Medicine Team as one of 30 selected clinicians.

“Our top priority was working with any and all athletes who needed care while in the Village,” she said. “Whether it was to supplement what their NGB providers were offering, or as a stand-alone service, our staff handled anything from blisters and stitches to acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.

“With such a skilled range of clinicians, any sports medicine issue an athlete was experiencing, our providers were able to help. There was also a recovery area for the athletes in the clinic, so many would roll in at the end of their training day to recoup.

“The clinic would see athletes in and out all day long. The NGB providers would be with us in the clinic working with their teams, so it was a busy place to be both morning and night. When we had slower clinic times, we were able to have great discussions about athlete care. These are some of my favorite moments of the Games! The sports medicine knowledge inside those four walls was incredible. To share in that was priceless.”

“I Ended Up Treating More Humans Than Horses”

Highlighting just how strong word of mouth has been in the evolution of chiropractic care at the Olympics, and the demand from both athletes and support staff alike, Dr. Maj-Britt Cielewicz traveled to Paris as an equine chiropractor, ready to treat horses at the veterinary clinic in Versailles.

A veterinarian as well as a doctor & chiropractor, word of her skills for both horses and riders spread, and she ended up treating more humans than horses.

“I am a qualified vet, but also a DC and MD. My official assignment was to take care of the horses that needed help during their competitions. But athletes suddenly started coming to the vet clinic to receive treatments for themselves.

“I didn’t have a bench, so I improvised, and ended up adjusting patients in the recovery box for the horses, against the wall, in a chair, on hay and shaving piles, on the couch in our staff room – you name it!

“I treated fellow vets who have now canceled their already scheduled hip replacement surgery, riders who suffered from back pain while riding, and a physio who treated horses for their country, and now has much sharper vision.

“The woman in charge of the whole Versailles venue fell from a golf car during the events, and initially presented with knee pain to the medical staff. It was a clear posterior sacrum and after adjustment she felt much more stable on her legs and the knee pain resolved.

“From that time onwards more and more working staff showed up at the clinic. I ended up treating more humans than horses, but I enjoyed every second of it.”

“The Rewards Are Immensely Gratifying”

After working in Paris in the area of track & field for Team Germany, Dr. Joan Montserrat hopes to see more chiropractors passionately engaging in sports care. It’s a demanding field, but athletes need it and the rewards are immensely gratifying.

“For the Paris Olympics, the German Athletics Association made a strategic decision: they organized the main preparations in Germany, allowing athletes to train in top-tier facilities away from the pressures of the media and the intense competition environment. Athletes were then flown to Paris shortly before the events, fully prepared and focused.

“Chiropractors were integral to this preparation camp, working closely with a dedicated team of physiotherapists, medical doctors, and psychologists. The athletes had access to a range of therapies, including ice chambers and ultrasound treatments, ensuring they were in peak physical condition.

“Athletes sought chiropractic care for various reasons – some to ensure optimal alignment for peak performance, others to address acute injuries from intense training, or even issues as simple as poor sleep posture. The demands on these athletes are extraordinary, pushing their physical and mental limits. Every member of the medical team was fully committed, often working long hours to provide the necessary support.

“The techniques I employed varied depending on the athlete, but my primary methods included chiropractic adjustments (diversified, Gonstead), kinesiotaping, and extensive soft-tissue work. A good knowledge of the sports and their biomechanics helped to be more efficient. Also the use of nerve manipulation delivered exceptional results on athletes.

“For a therapist, a ‘gold medal’ is to see a previously injured athlete being able to start their race and perform, knowing that not long ago they could barely walk due to the pain. This is probably the most rewarding work you can do.

“And of course, it’s then incredibly memorable to witness an athlete become an Olympic champion. Seeing their hard work, dedication, and sacrifices lead to such a remarkable achievement fills you with joy for them, and having had the honor to be part of their journey.

“Being part of this event was one of the most intense and fulfilling experiences of my career. The feedback from the athletes was extremely positive, reinforcing the valuable role that chiropractors play in high-level sports.”

Dr. Lara Delnatte echoed the same after working in the international polyclinic in the Olympic Village with fellow sports chiropractors Dr. Fabien Terrier, Dr. Stephan Aurimond, and Dr. Quentin Courthéoux.

She treated over 20 different nationalities, and “all of these athletes have very different physical characteristics depending on their discipline, which makes a chiropractic practice super interesting, adaptive and varied,” she said.

“Athletes from all walks of life and disciplines joined hands. Some came from incredibly far away, including a young swimmer from the Tonga Islands. She was incredibly happy to have easy access to care, and it was very rewarding to be able to help these athletes at their top level.”

Moments That Reinforced the Unity and Shared Passion Sports Bring Into Our Lives

Dr. James Power’s 15-year chiropractic career has included working with athletes at events from the Tour de France and the Commonwealth Games 2022. So when the opportunity arose to join his home country, Team Ireland, at the Paris 2024 Olympics, he knew it was a chance of a lifetime to apply his skills in one of the most challenging and exhilarating environments possible.

“My days at the Olympics started early – usually sunrise (6 a.m.). After a quick trip to the onsite boulangerie for a fresh coffee to jumpstart the day, I would review the schedule, mentally preparing for the athletes & tasks I’d be working with. By 7 a.m., I was setting up and getting ready for the first wave of treatments.

Each day could be a different location depending if competition day, rehearsal or Olympic Village training, the day would be a blur of activity, with athletes coming in for everything from pre-competition adjustments to post-event recovery. Each session required full focus and adaptability, as no two athletes had the same needs.

“Being based in the Village meant that my role wasn’t confined to Team Ireland’s building. I had the privilege of being at some of the most prestigious venues, start and finish lines, working behind the scenes and witnessing the culmination of years of hard work.

“Whether it was assisting an athlete just minutes before a race or providing immediate post-race care, every moment underscored the critical role of chiropractic in supporting these elite competitors.

“One aspect of the experience that truly stood out was the team spirit that permeated every corner of the Olympic Village. While my primary role was to provide chiropractic care, it quickly became clear that being part of an Olympic team meant being ready to pitch in wherever needed.

“Whether it was helping with logistical tasks, assisting other health care professionals during busy times, or simply being a supportive presence for the athletes and staff, it was all part of the job. This flexibility and willingness to contribute beyond my specific duties made the experience even more rewarding and underscored the importance of teamwork in such a high-pressure environment.

“One of the greatest highlights of my Olympic journey was the incredible people I met. I had the surreal experience of meeting Serena Williams, whose poise and determination on and off the court are simply awe-inspiring. Then there was Sir Chris Hoy, whose kindness and wisdom during our conversations about the demands of elite cycling left a deep impact on me. And I’ll never forget my brief encounter with the IOC president, who shared words of encouragement that reminded me of the global significance of our work.

“These interactions weren’t just about brushing shoulders with legends; they were moments that reinforced the unity and shared passion that sports bring into our lives.”

Chiropractic Becoming a Necessary Component of Sports Medicine in Chinese Competitive Sport

Dr. Peng Li has been involved with the Chinese Olympic Committee for over six years, representing chiropractors of Life University who had a collaborative agreement to provide chiropractic care to the Chinese Olympic Committee until 2022.

“It was a great honor to be with the Chinese Olympic delegation for the 2018 Asian Games for rowing, canoeing and kayaking, for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics across all sports, and then in Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics for figure skating and speed skating. I have been supporting athletes in gymnastics, trampoline and artistic gymnastics during the 2024 Paris Olympics, and also seeing individual athletes from different sports, like Yufei Zhang, Haiyang Qin, Jiajun Sun, Jiayu Xu from the swimming team, Hong Liu from race walking, Yuhao Shi from long jump, Lili Wang from female 3v3 basketball, Hao Liu, Wenjun Lin, Shixiao Xu and Mengya from canoeing, and Nan Wang from kayaking.

“Most of these athletes have been receiving chiropractic care for a few years. For instance, swimmer Yufei Zhang benefitted from chiropractic care regularly during the Tokyo Olympics, and undertook three months of regular care prior to Paris for both herself and Haiyang Qin.

“Canoeing athlete Hao Liu has had experience of care before competition, and won the first-ever gold for China in this sport in the 2019 World Championships, so required chiropractic care before racing in Paris as well.

“Among the athletes under care in Paris, China took home three golds (five athletes): one silver (one athlete) and five bronze medals (one athlete). Among the athletes under chiropractic before Paris, there are 12 golds (21 athletes), nine silvers (16 athletes) and 10 bronze medals (14 athletes).

“The National Institute of Sports Medicine of the Chinese Sports Ministry is looking to introduce sports chiropractic as part of sports medicine in China. The director of the Sports Medicine Department visited Life University in 2023 and plans to establish a Chiropractic Performance Center in the National Institute of Sports Medicine.

“We are looking forward to having chiropractic as a necessary component of sports medicine in Chinese competitive sports. This was the 6^th Olympic Games I’ve worked with athletes. The future is bright for the profession.”

“An Incredibly Rewarding Experience”

Dr Josh H Glass has worked at six Olympic Games with athletes, and was credentialed with the island nation of Grenada for the 2024 Paris Games.

He had previously worked with two of their top athletes, Kirani James and Lindon Victor,  in past World Championships and professional track meets.

World 400-meter champion, four-time Olympian and three-time Olympic medalist Kirani James said, “I don’t think I could have had the performances I had at the Paris Games without chiropractic care from Dr. Glass. My event is extremely intense, and having that care, whether it was chiropractic adjustments, muscle activation or massage – all of it really helped my body feel ready to perform at my best. I was able to recover and reset after every round.”

For the 2024 Olympics, Grenada had a woman in the 100 meters for track and two swimmers, as well as two-time world champion Anderson Peters in the javelin. Anderson’s massage therapist was part of the sports medicine staff, and they collaborated on care for him.

Dr. Glass said: “I arrived in the Olympic Village on Thursday, July 24th and stayed until Sunday, August 11th. I worked with Kirani, Lindon and Anderson on a daily basis, including pre/post practice and competition chiropractic treatment.

“Kirani had medaled in the past three Olympics for Grenada, and was the only Olympic medalist in their history. Lindon and Anderson both won bronze in their events and Kirani placed fifth in the best 400-meter race in history.

“It was a historic showing for the athletes and their country, and an incredibly rewarding experience for me to help them.

“The previous three Olympics, I was part of the USA Sports Medicine staff.  In Paris I also worked as a personal medical provider for the following U.S. athletes: Sam Kendricks (silver in pole vault), Kenny Bednarek (silver in 200 meters), Sydney Mclauglin-Levrone Gold (400-meter hurdles and 4x400 relay), Grant Holloway (gold in 110-meter hurdles, and Elle St. Pierre (8^th in 1,500 meters).

“I have worked with these athletes for years and it was perfect to continue my support for them at the Games. This was the 6th Olympic Games I’ve worked with athletes. Each has been different and special. It is promising to see sports chiropractic care included in more teams’ and athletes’ sports medicine contingents. I’m sure the future is bright for the profession.”

“Proud of the Legacy We’re Building for Chiropractic Care in Sports”

Throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, chiropractic as a profession was showcased on the world stage, highlighting its unique and specialized skill set, and gaining immense recognition for its contribution to helping athletes achieve their optimal performance naturally.

Athletes across a wide range of sports attribute their ability to compete at peak fitness to chiropractic care, and sports chiropractors are now an essential Olympic health care provider alongside physical therapists, nutritionists, and physicians.

The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics were a pivotal moment for establishing full integration of chiropractic into the Olympic health care available for athletes.

While previously reserved for athletes with the benefit of chiropractors embedded in their national teams, the entire profession is enthusiastic and supportive of the move to make chiropractic care available to all athletes.

Having completed his lifelong goal of being part of the Olympic experience, Dr Power says that he is “proud of the legacy we’re building for chiropractic care in sports. Each event has strengthened my commitment to the profession and reinforced the impact we can have on athletes’ lives.”

FICS President Dr. Lawson added: “FICS is incredibly proud of all the sports chiropractors from around the world, but in particular, the FICS members, who have worked tirelessly to promote and achieve these goals within the Olympic circles, providing equitable access to all athletes at the Games. We would like to congratulate them and the IOC on another successful Olympic and Paralympic Games!”

Dr Power also noted that “as sports chiropractors, we now have an unparalleled opportunity to capitalize on the post-Olympic surge in interest in sports. The world is inspired, and athletes are more determined than ever to excel.

“By stepping up, sharing our expertise, and supporting athletes in their pursuits, we can play a pivotal role in helping them overcome challenges and achieve their dreams. This is our time to make an impact, to show the world the power of sports chiropractic care, and to be part of something truly extraordinary.”