On the Road Again with the Paddlers

When opportunity knocks, team chiropractors pack their bags

Representing your profession and your country at a major international sporting event such as the Olympics is truly an honour for a sports chiropractor.   

Shortly after I returned home from four weeks in Torino with the national Olympic team, Canada’s national paddling team (sprint canoe/kayak) requested my participation.  This involved three weeks in May at World Cup regattas in Poznan, Poland and Duisburg, Germany.

A number of chiropractors regularly work and tour with some of Canada’s national teams.  Each of them has spent countless hours volunteering at events over the years, and travelling for weeks at a time with their respective teams.  They have the responsibility of treating some of Canada’s best athletes.  These dedicated colleagues further increase the profile of chiropractic, not just in sport but in all walks of life.

How does one get started as a sports chiropractor?  It is quite simple – get involved.  Become a member of your provincial sports chiropractic council and the provincial sports medicine council.  Volunteer at the local level.  As your experience grows, gradually work up to regional, provincial, national and eventually international events.

Entering the sports fellowship program of the College of Chiropractic Sports Sciences (Canada) [CCSS (C)] is an excellent way to expand your knowledge base and open a number of doors.  The Sports Sciences Residency Program (SSRP), established by the CCSS(C), enables chiropractors to study for a concurrent master’s degree at a university convenient to them, or complete the program at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto.  Currently, there are 14 sports residents at universities in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Halifax, and five students in the program at CMCC.  There are also literary, research, publication and practical requirements that must be met prior to sitting for the fellowship  examination.  (Additional information is available on the CCSS(C) website, www.ccssc.ca.) A principal advantage of CCSS(C) fellowship credentialling is eligibility to apply for a position on the core health-care teams of the Canadian Olympic Committee (Winter and Summer Olympic Games, Winter and Summer Paralympics and Pan American Games). Other advantages include: funding through the Canadian Sport Centres; increased interdisciplinary referrals; opportunities for collaborative projects; advertising (through promotion of specialty status); and supportive interaction with other sports fellows.

TOURING WITH A TEAM
Being on tour is different from being part of Team Canada at the Olympics.  You have to think ahead, take initiative, and plan for the unexpected.  You need to take your own supplies such as, for example, a first aid kit specifically stocked for that sport, Velcro straps for ice packs, resealable plastic bags for ice, zip ties for securing baggage, etc.  Below are some other tips that might prove helpful:

Modalities: Do you require ultrasound, TENS or IFC?  If so, this equipment must be portable, compact and light, as excess baggage charges can be significant if travelling in Europe.  Most airlines are now very strict, allowing little or no leeway, despite your best arguments that you are part of the medical team.  Be sure to take electrical converters.

Treatment table: A carrying case for the table – with wheels – is a real help in airports and at certain venues.

Securing treatment space: Some hotels will provide you with a meeting room that can be utilized by the health-care professionals on the team.  At other times, your room becomes your office.

Schedule and forms: Post a schedule on your door or treatment room.  Take copies of any forms that you will use while away.  Prepare a binder and create files for each athlete, which will make it easier for transporting and accessing the files and for future reference.  If you have never been with the team before, include bios from the team website to familiarize yourself with the athletes.

Past history: If time permits, contact each athlete (e-mail is great for this).  If the athlete is being treated by a chiropractor, request a case summary as well as any clinical reports (pertaining to X-rays, specialists, MRI, CT scans, etc).  If CDs of X-rays are available, they should be brought along.

Office supplies: Bring pens, paper, hole punch, small stapler, tape, etc.

Personal luggage: Travel light and try not to overpack (remember the excess baggage charges).  Leave some room for mementoes.  Take a piece of PVC pipe cut to the length of posters that you may wish to roll up and bring home.

E-mail: Stay in touch with family, friends and the office.  Laptops and BlackBerries are a valued commodity on any team.  Hotel lobbies and lounge areas are often a common gathering space for wireless Internet access.

Last but not least …
•    Learn and understand the dynamics of the team members and support staff.
•    Be flexible.
•    Be professional.
•    Be prepared.
•    Provide the best possible care for each and every athlete.
•    It is very advantageous if you have an associate or partner, or if you work in a group practice that will allow you flexibility to travel with the team, especially on short notice.
•    Be sure to have a current passport.  Some countries will not allow entry if your passport is within six months of expiry.
•    Check with the Canadian Chiropractic Protective Association to ensure that you have coverage to treat Canadian athletes, officials and coaches on the team.

PADDLING FOR GOLD
The World Cup tour netted five gold, one silver and five bronze medals for our paddlers.  One of the gold medals in Duisburg, Germany was captured in the men’s K4 event; Richard Dober, a chiropractic student at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), was a member of the K4 team.  Adam van Koeverden and Karen Furneaux had multiple podium finishes.  Both Adam and Karen are featured in the CCSS(C) and Canadian Chiropractic Association’s “Get Active. Be Healthy” brochure and poster.  Well done, team!

Canada’s national paddling team is made up of very talented athletes who are outstanding ambassadors of our country. It was certainly a privilege to work with them.•