Did you know that virtually every NBA team employs Chiropractors as medical professionals to treat the elite athletes who play in the NBA? Some NBA players who have gone on the record about using Chiropractic care include Charles Barkley, Derrick Rose, John Stockton, Gerald Wilkins, and “His Airness” himself, Michael Jordan. To quote Michael Jordan about Chiropractic: “Since I’ve been in Chiropractic, I’ve improved by leaps and bounds both mentally and physically.”

At one time or another in their careers, most serious athletes have seen and been treated by a Chiropractor. These medical professionals specialize in treating the muscular and skeletal pain and ailments that seem to grow out of and accompany the stress placed on the body by sports in general and basketball in particular, with many focusing in as a chiropractor low back pain specialist. It’s not just serious athletes that require the help of chiropractors. Many people who have any skeletal deformities that need realigning either through trauma, posture or birth require a Chiropractor, like the ones at Tulsa Spine and Rehab, to reduce pain or discomfort.

As a former athlete (many, many, many years removed), I still suffer pain and discomfort from the years of athletic wear and tear and stress. During one recent, particularly painful bout with back and neck pain, I went to see my Chiropractor, Dr. Tobin Lingafelter, DC, (aka Dr. T) at the Back and Neck Care Center of Sunset Hills, located at 3828 South Lindbergh Boulevard. He is a former professional golfer, a teaching pro, who truly understands what athletics and sports do to the human body. He is extremely personable and very skilled at his profession and has me feeling significantly better. If you’re looking for a Chiropractor in the St. Louis area, I highly recommend him, especially for treating athletes. You can reach him at (314) 842-8884, or visit his website at http://www.backandneckcare.org/en/index.html.

And, just in case you wanted to know more about Doctors of Chiropractic, here are the answers to some common questions, as explained and verified by Dr. T.

What is a Chiropractor?

This excerpt is taken from the Spine Health website at:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/what-a-chiropractor.

“A Chiropractor is a health care professional focused on the diagnosis and treatment neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine. Most Chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how they can account for their own health via exercise, ergonomics and other therapies to treat back pain.

Chiropractors focus on the intimate relationship between the nervous system and spine, and hold true the following beliefs: Biomechanical and structural derangement of the spine can affect the nervous system. For many conditions, chiropractic treatment can restore the structural integrity of the spine, reduce pressure on the sensitive neurological tissue, and consequently improve the health of the individual.”

There are many different kinds of spinal conditions out there. Some of them can be due to pressure building up, others might be suffering from a slipped disc, and although its rare, people could also be suffering from scoliosis. If the condition is serious enough, then visiting the chiropractor might not be enough and instead, people will have to look at getting surgery by dallas orthopedic surgeons or other similar surgeons to help them with their condition.

What are the current educational requirements to be a Doctor of Chiropractic?

This excerpt is taken from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) website at:

https://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=746.

“Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding – four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.

Doctors of Chiropractic – who are licensed to practice in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in many nations around the world – undergo a rigorous education in the healing sciences, similar to that of medical doctors. In some areas, such as anatomy, physiology, rehabilitation, nutrition and public health, they receive more intensive education than their MD counterparts.

Like other primary health care doctors, chiropractic students spend a significant portion of their curriculum studying clinical subjects related to evaluating and caring for patients. Typically, as part of their professional training, they must complete a minimum of a one-year clinical-based program dealing with actual patient care. In total, the curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency which is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This has been the case for more than 25 years.

This extensive education prepares Doctors of Chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the problems when they are within their scope of practice and refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.”

What conditions do chiropractors treat?

This excerpt is taken from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) website at: http://www.acatoday.org/level3_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=61&T3ID=152.

“Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. DCs are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches…particularly with their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions often involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury. The benefits of Chiropractic care extend to general health issues, as well, since our body structure affects our overall function. DCs also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.”

Is Chiropractic treatment safe?

This excerpt is taken from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) website at: http://www.acatoday.org/level3_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=61&T3ID=152.

“Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although Chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following Chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Neck pain and some types of headaches are treated through precise cervical manipulation. Cervical manipulation, often called a neck adjustment, works to improve joint mobility in the neck, restoring range of motion and reducing muscle spasm, which helps relieve pressure and tension. Neck manipulation, when performed by a skilled and well-educated professional such as a Doctor of Chiropractic, is a remarkably safe procedure.

For example, the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain-over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and prescription painkillers-are significantly greater than those of Chiropractic manipulation.

According to the American Journal of Gastroenterology, people taking NSAIDS are three times more likely than those who do not to develop serious adverse gastrointestinal problems such as hemorrhage (bleeding) and perforation. That risk rises to more than five times among people age 60 and older.

Moreover, the number of prescriptions for powerful drugs such as oxycodone and hydrocodone have tripled in the past 12 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that abuse of these commonly prescribed painkillers are among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States. Overdoses of opioid painkillers are responsible for some 15,000 deaths per year; that’s more than the number of deaths from cocaine and heroin combined. It is for these reasons that an increasing number of drug tests for these substances are being carried out by employers in the sporting world and beyond. You can learn more about drug testing procedures by heading to the Countrywide Testing website.

Doctors of Chiropractic are well trained professionals who provide patients with safe, effective care for a variety of common conditions. Their extensive education has prepared them to identify patients who have special risk factors and to get those patients the most appropriate care, even if that requires referral to a medical specialist.”

About the Authors

TOBIN LINGAFELTER, D.C., Call Sign Dr. T, is the Medical Analyst for Hoops Business. He is a former golf teaching professional and a licensed Chiropractor in the St. Louis area. He is an avid sports fan and a former host of a radio about golf. BA degree from Truman State University and Doctor of Chiropractic from Logan College of Chiropractic.

BILL HARVEY, Call Sign “Stats”, is the Editor of Hoops Business. He is a former college basketball player, basketball referee, Army officer, and college instructor in technical writing with a public relations and journalism background. He is also the editor of the Net Set blog at http://thenetsetblog.com. BA degree from Xavier University and MA degree in Information Management.