CCA Sports Medicine Committee

The CCA Sports Medicine Committee monitors the many sport related activities which occur throughout our state and also helps organizers of these events secure one or more chiropractic physicians to provide sports medicine coverage for the event. The chiropractic physician provides basic sports medicine coverage at sport events and these services include basic first aid, CPR, primary care services, and treatment as deemed necessary by the doctor. Pre-event maintenance or supportive care may also be provided to those athletes who are under regular care by a doctor familiar with the athlete's state of health and fitness.

What is Sports Chiropractic?

Sports chiropractic is that subspecialty of chiropractic within the sports community for the purpose of caring for sports related injuries, as well as contributing to the training of athletes for the prevention of injuries. Sports chiropractic is provided to the young recreational athlete, the special needs athlete, the seasoned professional, and the senior athlete. Individual athletes through various leagues or teams may also benefit from sports chiropractic.

Who is the Chiropractic Sports Physician?

The Chiropractic Sports Physician is a doctor of chiropractic with specialized training in diagnosing and treating sports injuries and providing physical fitness recommendations. The doctor is an expert in the examination, diagnosis and treatment of sports related injuries. The sports chiropractor must pass comprehensive examinations administered by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. There are two levels of competency in chiropractic sports medicine. The Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) has completed 100 hours of postdoctoral education. The Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DABCSP) has completed 300 hours of didactic and practical study. The Sports Chiropractic Specialist maintains a high level of competency and achievement and remains abreast of the latest research and developments in the field through continuing education programs and on- field experience.

How Can A Chiropractic Sports Physician Contribute To Your Team?

The chiropractic physician, a primary care physician with specialized training in sports medicine provides the athlete with the very best in "on" and "off" the field care, utilizing natural methods of healing, without the fear of drug reaction, loss of alertness, or contest disqualification.

The chiropractic sports medicine physician may apply her/his specialized training in body mechanics, diagnosis, emergency procedures, rehabilitation, pre-participation physical examination, injury prevention, physical therapy, nutrition, joint supports, taping, exercise prescription and fitness training. No other facet of the sports medicine team offers so much to the athletes to enable them to achieve the highest level of competitive effort. By providing expert sports chiropractic care for the athlete, the chiropractic sports medicine physician assures the sports medicine team well rounded health care because she or he acts in concert with medical doctors, athletic trainers physical therapists, and nutritionists. This interdependent sports health care approach integrates the basic principles of the chiropractic profession that always remembers that the health of the patient-athlete is first and foremost. In recognizing the need to refer to other providers when needed, your sports chiropractic physician is always prepared to discuss and accept referrals from other health care providers.

Did you know that many great professional and amateur athletes utilize chiropractic care as their primary form of health care to not only recover quickly from their injury but also to keep themselves "tuned" to maximal human athletic performance? Sport chiropractic care is for persons of all ages - whether you simply need an athletic pre-participation physical examination or treatment for an injury. Always remember that treatment and recovery from your injury is provided naturally and without the dangers of drugs or surgery.

Where Can I Find A Chiropractic Sports Physician?

If you are interested in finding out more about chiropractic sports medicine for yourself or your team, you can contact the Connecticut Chiropractic Association Sports Medicine Committee at 800-966-2225. Simply ask for the current chairperson of the Sports Medicine Committee. Or go to our Contact Page.

Current Public Issues

School Sports Physical Examinations: During that time of the year when an athlete requires a physical examination to assess their general health before participating in sports, you can rest assured that the chiropractic physician is fully capable of performing a competent examination and determining the student-athlete's state of readiness. This is especially appreciated when the chiropractic physician has specialized training in sports medicine where the doctor will examine not only organ and musculoskeletal structures but also evaluate the integrated biomechanical and neurophysiological function of the athlete and make appropriate recommendations.

While some schools and/or organizations may be under the impression that a chiropractic physician cannot perform a pre-participation physical examination, it should be clearly understood that this service is clearly within the chiropractic scope of practice. Each school district is free to decide whether or not to utilize a chiropractic physician to serve as team physician within the scope of chiropractic practice. There is no prohibition in the Connecticut state statutes against the chiropractic physician acting as part of the sports medicine delivery team for sports events or providing pre-participatory physical examinations at the request of a school district.

It is also the understanding of the Connecticut Chiropractic Association that no matter the school boards choice for the team physician, that physician (DC, DO, MD, ND) must not interfere with a patients relationship with their own primary care physician (DC, DO, MD, ND). The team physician and any staff (ATC, RN, PT) working under the doctors supervision must not direct care to a specific doctor or allied health provider but rather refer the patient to a hospital if necessary or the patients family physician (DC, DO, MD, ND) in non-emergency circumstances. If no family physician is available, then the patient should be given a choice of doctors who provide primary care (DC, DO, MD, ND) in the patient's region of residence.