Since Wrangler Sports Chiropractic (WSC) DCs began treating rodeo contestants in 1994 under the auspices of the Wrangler Jeans and Shirt Company, an ever-increasing number of rodeo competitors have been treated by the participating doctors. In 1995, the WSC chiropractors treated cowboys in 301 rodeos across America, offering 11,076 treatments. This is quite an elevation compared with 1994, when Wrangler SportsChiropractic DCs "only" worked 274 rodeos and performed 8,878 treatments. The WSC doctors will be even busier in 1996: they are scheduled to work 350 of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) rodeos out of the 800 scheduled.
The chiropractors report that the most frequent complaints they hear from rodeo competitors continue to be low back pain and neck discomfort. Rodeo support personnel have reported that the cowboys ask immediately if the DCs are there and are available to treat them.
In conjunction with the on-site treatment division, WSC has a research division which encourages doctors to document their clinical work with the rough riders, data which may provide the basis for future studies. The WSC, through its educational division, is currently performing a retrospective evaluation on the effectiveness of manipulation after lumbar epidural steroid injection. The study's primary provider of chiropractic manipulations has been Laney Nelson, DC; the "injectionist" is Charles Bova, MD. Both doctors are from the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Don Aspergren, DC, research director for WSC, is the principal investigator coordinating the data gathering. Dr. Aspergren calls the study results "encouraging." The paper is approaching the submission stage for publication. Prospective studies are also underway in Denver and Salt Lake City.
The funding for WSC research has been culled from 12 sponsors, more than half of which are chiropractic companies.
Chiropractors who are interested in joining the more than 400 WSC participating doctors are encouraged to contact the national office in Tacoma, Washington, at (206) 566-0940.
