Hey today I just wanted to let you know that I am now certified to do Pre-Participation Physical Examinations for middle and high school students that want to participate in sports. Now it is kind of interesting because chiropractors are well qualified through their training to be able to perform these sports physicals, but in Colorado, chiropractors need an extra certification. And chiropractors are the only practitioners (of those allowed to do the sports physicals in Colorado- MD, DO, Nurse Practitioner, Physician’s Assistant, Doctor of Chiropractic) that are required to do specific training and be certified. And this certification needs to be renewed every two years. This is a requirement of the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) which oversees the sports activities in high schools throughout Colorado.
While I personally do not see the need for the additional certification for chiropractors to perform sports physicals, I respect the CHSAA’s right to set their requirements for participation in school sports activities. I think there is still some misunderstanding of the qualifications of chiropractors and what we do, but hopefully in time that will continue to change for the better. Anyway, a few weeks ago I attended the course that was required and took the test so now I am certified to perform sports physicals in Colorado. The Pre-Participation Physical Examination for the student athlete is good for one year, so if you know of any high school athletes that want to participate in sports for the coming year, send them my way and beat the rush at the beginning of the school year.
And if you know any high school athletes injured during sports send them to me as well. It is important to have their spine checked by a chiropractor. Chiropractors are the only ones trained and looking for spinal subluxations which can affect an athlete’s ability to heal and perform at their best. And as many professional athletes and teams know, regular chiropractic care–even when they are not injured–helps keep them on top of their game. So come see what chiropractic can do to make you an all-star.
