Sports Specialist Chiropractors

While there is a general awareness of chiropractic care in the community – few people could tell you what a Sports Specialist chiropractor actually does. It’s not surprising really.

Considering that of the roughly 6000 chiropractors active in Canada – there are only 60 who can legally claim the title of Sports Specialist.

In the London area -- taking in 60 miles in any direction -- there is only one.

Yes, we are a rare breed -- but what makes us so?

To give you a comparison, take your local doctor. He or she has spent many years gaining the overall knowledge needed to practise medicine. But, if they wanted to practise brain surgery – they would need to specialize. This would involve going back to university and studying a post-graduate degree that focused on the specific area they wanted to specialize in. In the case of a brain surgeon, they would be given a greater understanding of this specific area of the body (the brain) – and would be armed with a unique set of skills to accomplish this.

This would involve going back to university and gaining a post-graduate degree which focused on the specific area of their specialty. In the case of a brain surgeon, they would be given a greater understanding of this specific area of the body (the brain) – and would then be armed with a unique set of skills to treat the brain.

A general practitioner of medicine may have a broad understanding of how the brain works, but unless they are certified in the specialized field of brain surgery – they can’t claim to be one.

It’s the same with a Sports Specialist chiropractor.

Unless you’re a certified Sports Specialist chiropractor, you can
only say you ‘treat’ sports injuries.

Only a fully certified practitioner can legally claim they ‘specialize’ in sports injuries.

A Sports Specialist chiropractor must undergo an additional two-year post-graduate degree on top of their chiropractic training.

A Sports Specialist – as the name implies – puts emphasis on the treatment of injuries sustained through physical activity.

• Shoulders
• Hips
• Ankles
• Knees
• Wrists
• Elbows

They are also fully trained in the treatment of spine and head trauma. Basically, this covers any injury you might sustain while playing your sport of choice.

A Sports Specialist chiropractor not only treat backs and necks – they also
specialize in the treatment of the extremities.

And a good chiropractor starts with a thorough chiropractic examination.

Your spine is linked to every part of your body through the nervous system. If your extremities are injured, this can also affect the spine. Vice-versa, a pinched nerve in the spine increases your chances of injury in the extremities – especially when playing sport. This is what’s known as taking a whole body approach to the treatment of injuries.

Not only does a Sports Specialist chiropractor ‘treat’ injuries – they can also help you to actively decrease your chances of injury in the first place!

Consider these typical athletic injuries:

• Swimmer suffering tight shoulders
• Soccer player dealing with muscle strains or pulls
• Runner experiencing ankle or knee problems
• Hockey player who’s been smacked into the boards one too many times

A Sports Specialist chiropractor can show you preventative measures -- such as stretching, exercise, nutrition and lifestyle choices -- to keep you in the game and off the sidelines.

As Sports Specialist chiropractors, we have an in-depth understanding of this ‘whole body’ connection – and a unique set of skills to treat injuries that go beyond just backs and necks.

As with any area of expertise...

If you have a specific problem – you need to see a specialist!

Find out more about Dr Millar

Contact Dr Millar today

Back to Millar Sports Home Page

Patient Reviews:

"I found the emphasis on sports very appealing. I’ve been a competitive swimmer for over ten years and last year I started doing triathlons. I’d had this problem in my rib area for about the same amount of time, and certain things would aggravate it – like running or backstroke, and I was having real difficulty doing speed work.

After a few treatments my injury started getting better – so I decreased my sessions. At the end I was only going once a month then stopped altogether.

The injury wasn’t affecting my day-to-day life, but it was definitely affecting my sporting life – which is just as important to me. Nothing major, just less enjoyable than it was before. Now though, I can do speed work and really fast workouts with no breathing problems and no pain.

My injury is no longer a problem."

Andrea Sweeney – Graduate student and triathlete

"When I realised that everything I’d worked for was going to come to an end due to a condition I was suffering, and then when I was shown a light at the end of the tunnel, well...

It was quite overwhelming to find out it could be treated.

Not only did I recertify for my job... I now play pro hockey, skate and run like I would normally do. All pain-free!"

Murray MacFarlane – Corrections officer

"My children started receiving treatments a few years ago. One of them has lower back problems to do with Sciatica and he actually looks at the calendar to see when he can go in next!

You see, he gets pain in his legs. When it first started happening I took him to a podiatrist who recommended orthotics. I then took him to an orthopaedic doctor who said: ‘No, he does not have one leg longer than the other, and there’s not enough of a difference to be worried about.’

I finally smartened up and took him to a chiropractor. That fixed him!"

Rebekah Voege – Stay at home mother with 2 children

"I go once every two and a half weeks. If there’s something wrong I go straight away.

It really helps in my swim training, knowing that if there’s a problem I can get it fixed straight away – or at the very least be given the steps to make it better."

Paul Kwatyra – University student and Varsity team swimmer

"I started running a few years ago. From the beginning it was my goal to compete in the Boston Marathon, but to do so you have to qualify. While preparing to do this – and in only my second marathon – something snapped in my hip. This was in October of 2008.

I had 6 months until the Boston and didn’t think I was going to be able to run.

I received treatments, ran the Boston, and beat my personal best time by 12 minutes – finishing in the top 10% for my age group.

I went to a couple of chiropractors before finding a sports specialist chiropractor. The other chiropractors didn’t do anything WRONG as such, but it makes a big difference when you find a practitioner that can relate to what you do -- someone who has and takes an interest in your chosen sport.

When you also receive practical advice on how to STAY healthy and balanced – you really feel supported."

Magda Badura – Marathon runner

"You don’t need to be an athlete to see a sports specialist chiropractor. But if you are…I’d say it’s definitely advisable to go and see one if you’re experiencing problems. Especially repetitive ones that never seem to go away."

Andrew Woegerer -- University student and Varsity team swimmer