Dr. Sidney C. Birdsley, a former president of the American Chiropractic Association and the Utah Chiropractic Association, passed away on December 22, 1999 at age 80. Funeral services were held at the Monument Park 17th Ward Church in Salt Lake City.
Born on January 11, 1919 in Bangor, California, Birdsley served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and flew more than 50 combat missions in the Pacific, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross three times and the Air Force Air Medal eight times.
After the war ended, Birdsley returned to the states and enrolled at Palmer Chiropractic College, graduating in 1948. He maintained a busy practice in Salt Lake City, Utah for 32 years before retiring in 1980.
Dr. Birdsley served the profession at a variety of state and national levels. He was the president of the American Chiropractic Association from 1968-69, the president of the Utah Chiropractic Association for two terms, and a member of the Utah State Chiropractic Board of Examiners for 15 years.
Dr. Birdsley's interests outside of chiropractic included being a college football official in the Western Athletic Conference for 25 years; a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints; a past Kiwanis Club member; and a past member of the Fort Valley Country Club.
Dr. Birdsley is survived by his wife of 57 years, DeNae; sons Galen (who graduated from National College of Chiropractic in 1977) and Rob; daughters Pamela Faulkner and Kristen Coomans; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
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?
