The University of Tennessee Volunteers men's track and field team entered the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon May 30-June 2, and ranked fourth. The team returned home to Knoxville ranked first, winning the team competition on the strength of its sprinters, especially freshman Justin Gatlin's brilliant victories in the 100 and 200-meter events.
Chiropractors from across the U.S. were on hand at Hayward Field under gray skies to assist the athletes. Michael Petty,DC, who practices in Farragut, Tennessee, was there in the capacity of team chiropractor for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Richard Gorman,DC, of Eugene, Oregon, was also on hand, organizing a group of doctors that included Ted Forcum (Beverton, OR); James Kurtz (Tacoma, WA); Justin Whittaker (Seneca Falls, NY); Michael Budincich (Pasadena, CA); and Dean Clark (Portland, OR).
Dr. Petty began traveling with the track and field team two years ago. He has worked with the Tennessee football program since 1996, and began traveling with them in 1997. He has two SEC rings (1997, 1998) to show for it, and one national title (1998). Dr. Petty acknowledged that he has worked very hard to develop a good relationship with the university.
"It hasn't always been easy," he admitted, citing the "tremendous medical bias that exists in training rooms. I have kept my ego out of it, and let my hands do the talking through the athletes," he explained.
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?
