| Each patient education article in "The Evidence-Based Educator" details research documented in Somatovisceral Aspects of Chiropractic: An Evidence-Based Approach, co-edited by Dr. Masarsky and Marion Todres-Masarsky, DC. |
The March/April 2002 issue of the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics included an article titled, "The Use and Role of Sport Chiropractors in the National Football League: A Short Report." Specifically, this study evaluated the utilization of doctors of chiropractic by NFL trainers. When asked whether they have ever referred injured players to doctors of chiropractic, 77 percent replied, "Yes." In fact, 45 percent of the NFL trainers had visited chiropractors themselves. The full text of this article can be read in the online version of the journal at www.mosby.com.
While the referral of injured NFL players is an impressive vote of confidence, it may represent only a fraction of the role the chiropractic profession could play in athletic life. Recent research indicates that chiropractic care tends to improve athletic ability in healthy, noninjured players. Agility, balance, muscle strength, jump distance and capillary circulation have all been found to improve in athletes receiving regular chiropractic adjustments. These athletes were involved in a wide variety of sports, including football; baseball; rugby; volleyball; track; weightlifting; and aerobic dancing.
A particularly interesting finding in this research involves reaction time. Athletes under chiropractic care were found to improve their reaction time by approximately 18 percent over a six-week period, while athletes not under chiropractic care improved their reaction time by less than 1 percent. This finding has implications far beyond the athletic field. From caring for a fast-moving toddler to operating a motor vehicle in busy traffic, a fast reaction time can prevent accidents in all aspects of life.
Charles Masarsky, DC
Vienna, Virginia
neurofitness@aol.com
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?
