Beyond Adjustments: Essential Exercises for Chiropractors – ICA ChiroCast: Sports & Fitness with Coach Mason

In this episode of the ICA ChiroCast: Sports & Fitness, Dr. Brant Hulsebus is joined by Coach Mason, who specializes in athletic training and return to play. They discuss the common overuse injuries among chiropractors and introduce a routine of stretches and exercises to combat these issues. Coach Mason highlights the importance of mobility work and strength training to increase endurance and prevent injuries. The episode covers specific stretches such as the prayer stretch, door stretch, thoracic rotation, couch stretch, and lateral squat. The goal is to help chiropractors maintain their health and enjoy their lives both on and off the field.

Beyond Adjustments: Essential Exercises for Chiropractors with Coach Mason
Welcome to another edition of the ICA Sports and Fitness Science Podcast. I’m Dr. Brant Hulsebus, a third-generation chiropractor, and today, I’m thrilled to introduce my friend, Coach Mason. Coach Mason is an athletic trainer and certified strength conditioning coach. He specializes in helping athletes return to play after injuries, and he also works with everyday folks, including chiropractors.

Recognizing the Challenges
Chiropractors often deal with overuse injuries. These can affect joints like wrists, elbows, shoulders, and hips. Coach Mason did some research and found that a chiropractor’s adjustments can range from 15 to 180 pounds of force. Given that a chiropractor might perform 30 to 60 adjustments in a day, this adds up to a lot of repetitive stress on the body.

A Routine for Repetitive Stress
Coach Mason and I brainstormed to create a routine that chiropractors can do throughout the day without the need to get on the ground. Here are some essential exercises:

1. **Prayer Stretch:** Place your palms together in front of your chest and push your elbows up to feel the stretch in your forearms. Advanced individuals can point fingers down for a deeper stretch. Hold for 30 seconds.
2. **Door Stretch:** With your elbow at 90 degrees, rest your arm against a doorframe and gently step forward. Turn your chin away from the arm to stretch the neck and shoulder.
3. **Thoracic Rotation:** Stand with feet wide, keep knees straight, and try to place your palms flat on the ground. Rotate one arm up to the sky while keeping the other on the ground, alternating sides.

When to Stretch
Start your day with these stretches and repeat them before and after your lunch break. Avoid doing them right before bed; instead, do them before you sit down to relax in the evening.

Strengthening for Better Mobility
Coach Mason emphasizes the importance of strength training. By increasing the strength of your shoulders, wrists, and elbows, you can better handle the physical demands of your chiropractic work.

Find Instructions Easily
If you’re listening and need visuals, you can find all these exercises easily by searching their names online, like “couch stretch,” to see examples and variations.

Stay Connected
For more tips and updates from Coach Mason, follow him on Instagram at @mason_chockley. He appreciates the support and is always ready to help with your questions.

Final Thoughts
The best way to combat overuse from chiropractic adjustments is to raise your body’s strength capacity. With Coach Mason’s expert advice, you can protect yourself and continue to serve your patients more effectively.

Subscribe, follow us, and be part of our journey as we continue to inspire and educate the next generation of chiropractic healers.

Become a part of our community. Together, we can elevate the field of chiropractic care in sports.

Thanks for joining us, and see you next time!

Click here for the video version of this episode