Unlocking Athletic Potential: The Role of Chiropractic Care – ICA ChiroCast: Sports & Fitness with Dr. Kevin Jackson
Join Dr. Brant Hulsebus and Dr. Kevin Jackson of the International Chiropractic Association Sports and Fitness Science Council in this episode of ICA ChiroCast – Sports & Fitness. They introduce the podcast’s mission, discuss their backgrounds, and delve into the importance of chiropractic care in enhancing athletic performance. Learn about subluxation, neurological enhancement, and the upcoming certificate program designed to equip chiropractors with advanced techniques to improve athletic outcomes. Tune in for insights that could transform how you approach sports chiropractic!
Welcome to this episode of ChiroCast, brought to you by the International Chiropractic Association Sports and Fitness Science Council. I’m Dr. Brant Hulsebus, and my goal is to give you an inside look at our board and the exciting initiatives we have planned.
Joining me today is a fellow board member, Dr. Kevin Jackson. Let’s dive right into our conversation about sports chiropractic and its critical role in enhancing athletic performance.
Meet Dr. Kevin Jackson
Dr. Kevin Jackson is a 1989 graduate of Life Chiropractic College, where he was an avid rugby player. His lifelong involvement in sports has fueled his passion for sports chiropractic. With experience as the chiropractor for the Hershey Bears hockey team and a personal chiropractor for a PGA player, Dr. Jackson is deeply committed to helping athletes, from high school runners to state championship contenders.
“Over the years, I’ve been the chiropractor for the Hershey Bears hockey team in the AHL. I’ve also been the personal chiropractor for a PGA player. And I’ve been out to the US Open but my heart lays with the local teams,” Dr. Jackson shares.
The Role of Chiropractic in Athletics
Dr. Jackson and I share a common philosophy: our primary focus as chiropractors is to address subluxations to enhance neurological performance, not to act as physical therapists or massage therapists.
“We’re not going to really go in there and tape an ankle. We’re more about teaching athletes about subluxation and how getting it corrected can enhance their performance,” I explained.
Dr. Jackson reiterated the importance of this unique chiropractic function:
“We are in fact chiropractors. We check for subluxation and we correct subluxation. If a high school athlete or parent can understand what a subluxation is and how it can enhance the player’s neurological performance, it makes all the difference.”
Chiropractic’s Contribution to Athletic Success
From enhanced neurological performance to improved muscle strength, chiropractic care offers various benefits that high-level athletes can leverage. Dr. Jackson shares several success stories, such as a high school runner who achieved his personal best shortly after a chiropractic adjustment.
“It’s amazing. If you can get someone to understand what a subluxation is and keep their spine in good condition, the neurological system’s enhancement is clear,” he says.
Education and Certification: Our Next Steps
Our council aims to disseminate this knowledge through a specialized certificate program designed for chiropractors. This certification is distinct from re-education; it focuses on advanced techniques to enhance athletic performance.
“We’re going to be teaching about how athletic performance and subluxation are connected, with hands-on techniques that chiropractors can immediately apply in their practice,” Dr. Jackson notes.
As practitioners, it’s essential to grasp how to communicate our specialized roles effectively, whether on the sidelines or in professional settings.
Inviting Engagement and Understanding
Sports are an integral part of society, and chiropractic care can significantly enhance athletic performance. Importantly, decision-makers in healthcare are often the athletes’ parents. Education about chiropractic care’s preventative benefits before the game day can reshape community health perspectives.
“Mothers are key decision-makers in healthcare. Once they understand the chiropractic story and its importance in preventing sub-concussive impacts, they recognize its unique value,” Dr. Jackson emphasized.
Join Us on This Journey
Our mission is to realign the chiropractic profession towards enhancing athletic performance through subluxation correction. Whether you’re a seasoned chiropractor or new to the field, we invite you to be a part of this transformative journey.
“If you are a chiropractor, put yourself in the shoes of a parent with an athlete. By helping these young athletes, you’re also educating their families about where health comes from, and that’s extraordinarily important.”
Thank you for tuning in. We encourage you to follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and share our podcast with other chiropractors. Together, we’ll continue to elevate the profession and touch more lives through our specialized care.
Stay tuned for more insightful episodes and interviews with experts like Dr. Jackson. We’ll be back soon with more valuable content aimed at enhancing your practice and understanding of sports chiropractic.
Until next time, stay healthy and keep adjusting!
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Click here for the video version of this episode