Columbus, Ohio, was home again for the ICA's Symposium on Natural Fitness, February 22-24, 2002. The event, a mixture of fitness superstars and sports technology, was presented by the ICA and its Council on Fitness and Sports Health Science, featuring famed bodybuilder and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, speakers on the "cutting edge" of chiropractic, appearances by fitness personalities and awards ceremonies.
Among those appearing at the symposium were Cleveland College graduate Franco Columbu, former bodybuilding champ and decades-long friend to Mr. Schwarzenegger; Lee Haney, former Mr. Universe and eight-time holder of the Mr. Olympia belt, and chairman of the President's Council on Physical Fitness; and Denise Paglia, fitness instructor and cover girl.
Ms. Paglia, host of television's "Fitness Beach," stressed the importance of chiropractic to athletes: "Chiropractic is about health and fitness ... natural, preventive health care ... and I have experienced this for the last 30 years myself on my own body. Whenever I have a problem - or even if I don't have a problem - and I go to a chiropractor, my problems are gone for a long time."
Guest speaker Pete Gratale, a television fitness trainer ("Bodyshaping"), cohosted a seminar ("Spinal Health and Safety Advances in Athletic Training") with Mr. Haney. Also speaking were Muscle and Fitness magazine Editor-in-Chief Thomas Deters,DC ("Performance Enhancement"); Richard Gennaro,DC ("The Spine in Motion"); Nick Athens,DC ("Coordinating Chiropractic Care for the Elite Athlete"); and Joel Miller,DC ("Chiropractic Care for the Martial Arts").
ICA Fitness Council President Dr. Gerald Mattia gave his perspective on the symposium: "By sharing the meaning of health through fitness as part of a healthy chiropractic lifestyle, we can educate the general public on the power of our unique chiropractic science and on the vital relationship between fitness and health. This is what the symposium is all about."
Arnold Schwarzenegger has reaped the benefits of chiropractic treatment for many years, and gives credit to the care he received from DC Franco Columbu for helping him continue competition when he would have not been able to do so otherwise.
Editor's note: In the next issue, Dave Ryan,DC, the director of the health care team for the Arnold Expo/Classic, gives his report on the event, replete with photos.
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. 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."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
