For the 12th consecutive year, the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) held its Annual Symposium on Natural Fitness in picturesque Columbus, Ohio. The March 5-6 event attracted more than 400 doctors of chiropractic and chiropractic advocates - including practitioners from as far away as Norway and Australia - and featured lectures and guest appearances by noted experts in fitness and wellness.
The symposium focuses on the symbiotic relationship between fitness and health. Its main purpose is to bring together the best elements of bodybuilding and chiropractic to educate all participants on the value of natural health through exercise. Utilizing clinical presentations, lectures and hands-on demonstrations, the symposium provides the most up-to-date information available on the development of optimum performance in sports and training on injury prevention through chiropractic care.
Among the many speakers at this year's event, which was held in conjunction with the 15th annual Arnold Fitness Weekend, was Dr. Tom Deters. A doctor of chiropractic and the former editor of Muscle & Fitness Magazine, Dr. Deters delivered the symposium's keynote presentation. Dr. Mitch Mally, an internationally known author and inventor, addressed performance enhancement through chiropractic care; Peter Gratale, DC, presented a program on core strength training among various patient populations; Dr. Ken Kinakin, an authority on resistance training, provided new clinical strategies for injury prevention and management with weight training; and Dr. Gerry Mattia shared his knowledge on biomechanically directed exercise and chiropractic care.
As usual, bodybuilder-turned-action-star - turned-governor-of-California - Arnold Schwarzenegger made an appearance at the symposium as its featured speaker. Taking time out from his gubernatorial duties, Schwarzenegger addressed the crowd with his typical zeal and enthusiasm for all things chiropractic.
"I am honored to be back with you and to celebrate this great weekend once again," Schwarzenegger told the attendees. "We share a common mission, and that is health and fitness for everyone. What a great partner the ICA is on this. I look forward to doing this with the ICA for many years to come."
"The governator" also thanked the ICA for its longstanding partnership and support, and acknowledged the association's leaders as "key contacts" for the work he is engaged in as governor. In turn, the ICA thanked Schwarzenegger for his continuing support and participation in the symposium by presenting him with an official San Francisco 49ers football helmet, signed by former All-Pro running back Roger Craig, who spoke at this year's event. The helmet was embossed with an engraved gold disc from the ICA's Council on Fitness and inscribed: "To Governor Arnold, The Captain of Our Team." The ICA also made a significant donation to the After School All-Stars, a program founded by Schwarzenegger in 1995 that provides after-school activities and supervision for children.
In addition to the donation, the ICA arranged for Mr. Craig to participate in a fundraising auction on March 5. The event, hosted by Schwarzenegger and attended by Ohio Gov. Robert Taft, Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and a number of other prominent sports, civic and show business figures, raised approximately $4,000 for the after-school program.
During the meeting, Schwarzenegger met with several ICA officials to discuss issues relevant to workers' compensation and chiropractic care in California. The talks were characterized by the ICA as "positive, direct and productive," and gave the association the opportunity to guide the governor on the direction of a variety of issues of importance to the chiropractic profession.
Jeffrey Spencer Named Sports Chiropractor of the Year
Also during the symposium, the ICA Council on Fitness honored Dr. Jeffrey Spencer, a 1988 graduate of Cleveland Chiropractic College-Los Angeles, by naming him its "Outstanding Sports Chiropractor of the Year" for 2004. Among numerous other accomplishments, Dr. Spencer has treated cyclist Lance Armstrong since 1999, playing a role in each of his record-tying five Tour de France victories.1
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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. 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?
