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Dr. Graham Asks...
Wellness & Sports
What benefits does chiropractic offer to athletes?
I only occasionally use chiropractic as a means of treating injuries (although that can be a great application of chiropractic); it is always about performance enhancement. If your nervous system is not functioning correctly, there is no way to be in top performance. When you are asking your body to do extraordinary things physically and mentally, you must have it tuned up to its potential. One of the real strengths of chiropractic is the ability to detect and correct problems before they become manifest. Is this not what health care should be? Where else can you go to get “tuned up” before a big race or any big event in life?
Do you see a lot of sports-related injuries in your practice?
Ironically, I don’t really have a “sports-related” practice. I do see surfers, rowers, runners, walk racers and other athletes, but my practice is very diverse and more family oriented. I love seeing kids, families, and pre- and postnatal women. I incorporate a lot of the techniques I learned as an amateur athlete to get the general public functioning like high-performance athletes. I would consider my practice much more wellness oriented than injury treatment focused. When I think of sports chiropractic, I think about enhancing performance through the power of the adjustment and regular chiropractic care to prevent injuries, enhance training and racing performance. Of course, those same benefits can be realized for everyone, not just high-performance athletes.
How does chiropractic fit into your training regimen?
I have been adjusted regularly (averaging every two weeks) since 1980. I do a lot of things to keep my body in top shape, but I rarely have an injury and I credit a lot of that to regular chiropractic care.
How does regular chiropractic care give you an advantage?
Performing in a sport may require all or a combination of great strength, endurance, power, lactic acid tolerance, balance, flexibility and mental fortitude. Which of these can’t chiropractic improve? I firmly believe in the power of chiropractic to enhance nervous system function – period. Performance will be compromised if the nervous system is compromised.
Do you have anything to add?
I have chiropractic and chiropractors to thank for keeping my body in top physical condition consistently. I love being able to give back some of what I have received since 1980. The tangible results from working with athletes is great and I love to get involved with local teams or clubs to spread the principles of this profession. Too many people still have no idea what we do or misunderstand what we do. Simply offering chiropractic to athletes will help them in so many ways. Chiropractic is beyond medicine. Chiropractic is “green” and does not rely on synthetics and corporate corruption of the pharmaceutical industry. Chiropractic, applied well, helps people perform better in an “organic” way.
What athletes say about Chiropractic
Arnold Schwarzenegger - "I am very fortunate to have, so-to-speak, my in-house chiropractor, Dr. Franco Colombu, as my own personal chiropractor. So, I visit Franco regularly, and he comes over to my house. He adjusts my wife, my kids, me, everybody gets an adjustment. And we feel always great when Franco leaves. Even when I have athletic injuries he's always there for me, and helps me. So it's really terrific, and I know that first hand. That's why I always will be traveling around, all over the world, talking highly about the profession of chiropractic. You chiropractic doctors are really miracle workers, and that's why it's really great to have you here, part of the Arnold Classic. Because, like I said, the Arnold Classic and Fitness Weekend are about health and about fitness and preventive care."
Dan O’Brien, Decathlon - "You obviously can't compete at your fullest if you're not in alignment. And your body can't heal if your back is not in alignment. It was the holistic idea that I liked about chiropractic and that is what track and field is about. Every track and field athlete that I have ever met has seen a chiropractor at one time or another. In track and field, it is absolutely essential. Chiropractic care is one of the things I think that no one has denied or refuted."
Lance Armb, Tour de France 4 Time Winner - Jeff Spencer, D.C. has been working with Lance Armb since January of 1999, helping him to keep his body together for the harsh demands of the Tour de France. After last year's Tour de France, Lance said that he could not have won without Jeff's help.
Joe Montana, Football Quarterback - One of the most recognizable celebrity/athletes, holder of four Superbowl rings, three Superbowl MVPs and Player of the Year in 1990, has agreed to become the spoke person for Chiropractic in the State of California.
Tiger Woods, Golfer - "Being a chiropractor patient has really helped me immensely. Lifting weights and seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis has made me a better golfer. I've been going to Chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It's as important to my training as practicing my swing."