Helping Athletes Recover
About PCA

Sports Working Group



From the playing field to everyday life — because life is a sport.

Whether you're a weekend warrior pushing your limits or a professional athlete chasing excellence, your body deserves specialized care that understands the demands of movement and performance.

Helping Athletes Recover, Perform, and Stay in the Game

Sports chiropractors specialize in keeping athletes, and anyone living an active life, moving safely, performing better, and recovering faster. Whether on the sidelines of an Olympic event or helping a weekend runner stay injury-free, sports chiropractors bridge science, movement, and care.

From professional sports teams to youth athletics, from corporate wellness programs to weekend fitness enthusiasts, sports chiropractors understand that every body in motion has unique needs. They combine advanced diagnostic skills with hands-on treatment techniques specifically designed for active individuals.

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I Know Pain (Olympic Commercial)

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Chiropractic Care Supports Older Adults in their Pickleball Game

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Where Will Your Chiropractic Career Take You?

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Rodeo Champions Depend on Chiropractic Care - Become A DC Today

What Is a Sports Chiropractor?

A sports chiropractor is a Doctor of Chiropractic with advanced post-doctoral training in athletic injury management, emergency procedures, and performance optimization.

CCSP® Certification

Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician credential demonstrating specialized expertise in sports medicine

DACBSP® Diplomate

Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians - the highest level of sports chiropractic certification

Unlike general chiropractors, sports chiropractors are specifically trained for:

  • Sideline and field-of-play care during athletic events
  • Concussion assessment, triage & return-to-play clearance protocols
  • Emergency procedures, taping techniques & immediate injury management
  • Integrative team care coordination with athletic trainers and physicians

Professional Team Logos

Logos shown represent major U.S. professional sports organizations where sports chiropractors serve on medical teams.

Sports Chiropractors Treat

Sprains & Strains

Ankle, knee, shoulder, and hamstring injuries from acute trauma or overuse

Tendinopathies

Achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinopathy, and other tendon-related conditions

Joint Dysfunctions

Subluxations and biomechanical restrictions affecting movement patterns

Back & Pelvic Pain

Low back pain, sacroiliac dysfunction, and pelvic instability issues

Cervical Injuries

Neck strains, whiplash, and cervical spine dysfunction from impact sports

Overuse Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries, biomechanical imbalances, and gait asymmetries

Sports chiropractors also provide soft tissue recovery techniques, movement reconditioning, and performance optimization strategies tailored to each athlete's specific sport and goals.

The Numbers That Matter

3.6M

Youth Injuries Annually

U.S. children and adolescents sustain sports-related injuries each year according to CDC data

2M

High School Athletes

Injured yearly, resulting in 500K doctor visits and 30K hospitalizations

42%

Fewer Surgeries

Reduction in surgical interventions when athletes receive chiropractic care first (Spine, 2013)

28%

Lower Healthcare Costs

Cost reduction when chiropractic care is integrated into wellness programs (Health Affairs)

In Pennsylvania, 60% of counties are designated Health Professional Shortage Areas, sports chiropractors help close this critical healthcare gap, bringing specialized care directly to communities and athletic programs.

Case Studies: Chiropractic in Action


Adolescent Basketball Study

Participants: Chinese basketball players, ages 16-19

Protocol: Weekly cervical adjustments combined with strength training for 3 months

Results: Significant measurable gains in speed, endurance, and overall strength performance



Team Sports Research

Finding: Teams with integrated chiropractic care experienced notably fewer lower-limb strain injuries

Details:

  • In pro and semi-pro athletes, chiropractic care reduced muscle strains and sped up return-to-play.

Impact: Reduced missed games due to non-contact knee injuries, improving team performance and player safety




Athletic Performance Trial

Study Group: 50 competitive athletes across multiple sports

Results: Chiropractic group showed >30% improvement in agility, reaction time, and balance over 12 weeks

Significance: Demonstrates measurable performance enhancement beyond injury treatment



Part of the Medical Team

Sports chiropractors complement — not replace — athletic trainers and physicians. They work integratively with ATs, PTs, MDs, and strength coaches to ensure athletes receive the right care at the right time.

This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive care while maximizing each professional's unique expertise and training.

Building Safer, Stronger Athletes

Sports chiropractors provide comprehensive care that extends far beyond injury treatment. Their specialized training enables them to serve as integral members of athletic healthcare teams, offering:

  • Detailed return-to-play evaluations ensuring safe activity resumption
  • Proactive injury prevention programs tailored to specific sports
  • Advanced ergonomic and biomechanical movement assessments
  • Immediate emergency sideline care during competitive events

This comprehensive approach significantly improves patient outcomes, reduces treatment delays, and expands healthcare access — particularly crucial in rural or underserved regions where specialized sports medicine resources may be limited.

Assessment

Comprehensive evaluation of injury and movement patterns

Treatment

Targeted therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation protocols

Prevention

Long-term strategies to minimize future injury risk

Performance

Optimization techniques to enhance athletic capabilities

Take the Next Step

Whether you're managing a sports team, running a workplace wellness program, or seeking personal athletic care, investing in sports chiropractic services represents a commitment to optimal health, performance, and injury prevention.

For Athletes

Individual performance optimization and injury prevention tailored to your specific sport and goals

For Teams

Comprehensive team healthcare integration improving outcomes and reducing missed playing time

For Organizations

Workplace wellness programs that reduce healthcare costs while improving employee health and productivity

Don't wait for injury to sideline your goals. Proactive sports chiropractic care keeps you moving forward, performing at your best, and staying in the game for years to come.

Our Sports Working Group Team

Meet the dedicated professionals leading the advancement of sports chiropractic care and athletic healthcare integration.

Dr Justin Miller

CCSP, CKTD

Chair, PCA Sports Working Group

Dr Adam Maurer,

CCSP, ICSC

Dr BRANDON AUCKER,

MS, PSP

Dr ANNE SORRENTINO,

DACBSP®

Dr Tyler Rank

CCSP

Dr Jason Burgess


Clinical Excellence in Action

Our sports chiropractors bring evidence-based care directly to the field, blending advanced techniques with real-time athlete support. From injury prevention programs to performance optimization, our practitioners ensure that athletes at every level receive care that keeps them competing at their best.

Clinical Excellence

With decades of combined experience treating athletes at all levels, our working group brings practical insights from professional sports teams to youth athletic programs.

Educational Advocacy

Committed to expanding awareness and access to sports chiropractic care through professional education, community outreach, and healthcare policy advancement.

Together, we're building a future where every athlete has access to specialized chiropractic care that keeps them performing safely at their highest potential.



Disclaimer:
The Chiropractors listed or represented through the PCA are independent practitioners and are not employees, agents, or legal representatives of the PCA. The PCA does not direct or control the clinical judgment, treatment decisions, or business operations of any individual chiropractor. Each Chiropractor operates as an independent entity and assumes sole responsibility for their professional services.