By Dr. Lisa Goodman, DC, CCSP, CACCP
That's a wrap on my time at the CSIT World Sports Games in Tortosa, Spain! I was so thrilled to represent sports chiropractic on the global stage at this massive event.
While most of our patients understand the huge benefits of sports chiropractic, the world of international athletics is just at the beginning of inclusion of our profession. Through events such as these we are influencing athletes, delegates, and games officials as to the major benefits. Sports chiropractors are skilled in triage, injury management, concussion, emergency sideline care and of course manipulation and manual therapy of the spine and all extremities. That is why it is so important for me to get out of my walls and experience chiropractic on another LEVEL. The sports chiro team and I provided care to 3,500 athletes from all over the world this week. We were the primary health care providers at the WSG. In February, I was recruited to apply and then selected by the International Federation of Sports Chiropractic (FICS) to work with 22 other sports chiropractors from around the world. The sports we covered included: Soccer, Futsol, Basketball, Swimming, Beach Wrestling, Judo, Tennis, Table Tennis, Beach Tennis, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball, Fistball, Track/Field and Mamanet
Some athletes presented for care because they've seen us at past events. Some were just curious.
Others received our care because of traumatic injury during competition or practice
We adjusted many athletes for their first time, many couldn't wait for us to be back the next day
We didn't simply adjust everyone
We triaged injuries, created a game plan, treated and released when possible, transported to the hospital when necessary, and in some cases, prohibited return to play.
Having sports chiropractors at an event like this is invaluable for the participants and organizers.
The WSG was also an invaluable experience for me
Friendships started or grew
Techniques were shared and learned
Lives were changed, the stories my table could tell....
This is the start of something
Fustal and Mamanet
I was fortunate to be stationed at two events that were incredibly meaningful to me on a personal level. The first is futsal (6 v. 6 soccer). As a soccer player myself, I was very familiar with what to expect! Injuries such as turf abrasions, hip pain, concussion, knee injuries, ankle sprains and contusions presented and I was able to return most players to play. I was also caring for the athletes of Mamanet, the sport I was recruited specifically for due to my dual certification and experience as a sports and prenatal & pediatric chiropractor. In Mamanet, athletes must be over the age of 30 and must have children. It was created in Israel as a way to connect moms to athletics for fitness and community and to be a good physical role model for their children. Mamanet is similar to volleyball with the main difference being athletes have to catch the ball and throw it to each other as well as over the net. Injuries treated here included ankle and knee injuries, in fact 4 athletes were transported to the hospital with ankle fracture, severe ankle sprain, and two probably ACL tears. Additionally we treated back and neck pain, shoulder strains and endless finger sprains. These women were the most grateful for our care and brought us gifts and hugs.
Perhaps my favorite story of the games was treating the 10 year old daughter of an Italian athlete who had chronic headaches she described as 10/10. I adjusted her three times over three days and she was 0/10 on day three for the first time in her memory. According to her history, her headaches were most likely caused by a moderately traumatic birth (yes 10 years ago!) which set her up for cervical spine compression and fixations that never relented.
A bit about the World Sport Games:
WSG was created to be the Olympics for the European worker's. CSIT works in co-operation with the IOC (International Olympic Committee), GAISF & SportAccord (United Sports Federations), ICSSPE (International Council of Sport and Physical Education), EFPM (European Fair Play Movement), ISCA (International Sport and Culture Association), WADA(World Anti-Doping Agency), and more. More info: https://www.csit.tv/en
WSG 2020 will be in Zagreb, Croatia!
Lisa Goodman, DC, CCSP, CACCP is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP) and Certified Prenatal and Pediatric Chiropractor (CACCP). She is a CrossFit L1 and CrossFit Kids Certified Trainer. Dr. Goodman founded Washington Park Chiropractic in 2006 in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Goodman incorporates sports chiropractic techniques with prenatal and pediatric patients, she teaches mobility and taping classes locally, and is a contributor to POPSUGAR, Urban Life Wash Park and DC Aligned. She is a committee member on the boards of the ACA Pediatrics Council and the ACA Sports Council. Areas of special interest include prenatal care, ankle and wrist injuries, instrument assisted soft tissue techniques, strength training, and pediatric fitness. Stay connected with Dr. Goodman on Instagram @washparkchiro or @lisakgoodman