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TopCare for TopSport - the chiropractic approach

Injuries constitute a frequent and frustrating problem in top sport. The effects of extensive preparation and exercise evaporate, sponsors and audience are disappointed. A pre-emptive approach may help to avoid this annoyance. Chiropractic provides an important starting point for the development of an effective plan of prevention in (top) sport.

The principle
Chiropractic is a treatment strategy which adheres to the principle that the body cannot perform optimally if the nerve system is not working properly. Nerves control the muscles and organs in our body and facilitate the communication to and from the spinal cord (reflexes) and brain. The nerve system is an essential part of our body which determines the physical level of performance. A disturbance in the nerve system will affect muscles and lead to reduced contracting velocity, stability and coordination thereby reducing the ability to respond adequately to (unexpected) situations such as for example sudden obstacles. This increases the risk of injuries and hamper the performance.

Chiropractic examinations and treatment have been developed to trace and resolve disturbances in the nerve system. One of the most important modifiable causes are movement disorders or asymmetry in a joint, especially within the spine. Chiropractors examine the joint functions and postural characteristics (symmetry), while excluding the presence of underlying disease. They might use x-rays and scans (MRI or CT) for this purpose. Depending on the findings they design a treatment plan which might or might not include an adjustment. While medical doctors are involved with treatment of disease, chiropractors are principally involved with functional improvement. The chiropractic approach aims to prevent injuries and improve the level of performance by optimizing the function within the physical boundaries. This chiropractic approach offers new opportunities within the field of (top) sport.

An example
A nice example of an effective pre-emptive approach in top sport according to the chiropractic principle is given by the Milan Lab. The Milan Lab is the high-tech scientific test and training centre of top football club AC Milan. Chiropractor Jean-Pierre Meersseman established the lab in 2002 by order of club owner Berlusconi who had enough of the numerous injuries of his expensive players and believed in the power of chiropractic.

The lab concentrates around prevention and optimization. In setting up the lab Meersseman kept to the chiropractic principle that optimal function of the body can only occur if there is optimal function of the nerve system. The lab therefore tests many aspects of the nerve system by using movement sensors, infrared cameras, installations for psychological tests, test units with ECG, measurement instruments for sweating, audiovisual recording, blood measurements, x-ray diagnostics and even MRI (for extremities). In addition, specific assessments are performed in the hospital upon request of the lab.

Guided by his chiropractic vision Meersseman attracted experts who are directly or indirectly involved in testing and influencing the nerve system in various ways. Apart from chiropractors the lab now resides psychologists, performance physiologists, sport physicians, dieticians, sport physiotherapists and technical scientists, each addressing the issues surrounding the sportsmen from different viewpoints.

The test results generate a clearer picture of the level of performance. Is the player functioning within his physical and mental boundaries or is he risking over-endurance? Is there room for enhancing performance? These are the type of queries which can be answered by the lab. The lab is targeted at the early detection of looming injuries. Based on the test results the lab develops individual training programs for each player. Chiropractic and parametric treatment as well as dietary advise is provided if needed. This is the crème de la crème of care for top sportsmen: top care in top sport.

Jean-Pierre Meersseman is convinced of the need of chiropractic within the medical team of a (top) sport club and has been successful in passing on and implementing the knowledge. Since the establishment of the Milan Lab the number of withdrawals due to injuries has dropped dramatically. The players now perform at a higher level for longer periods due to which less new players have to be contracted. It explains the typically high average age of the AC Milan selection and the low number of players required in the selection. In 2007 AC Milan won the world cub with only 22 players in the selection. The large progress is largely attributed to the activities at Milan Lab.

Chiropractie Brussee
Chiropractie Brussee has been working in The Hague for 8 years and has recently taken up chiropractic in (top) sport as a special field of interest. The Milan Lab is an important source of inspiration for further development. Since 2007 Chiropractie Brussee has an official collaboration with the Milan Lab. In addition, the chiropractors of Chiropractie Brussee have founded the new Dutch Association of Sports Chiropractic (Nederlandse Vereniging van Sport Chiropractie, NVSC), which falls under the professional chiropractic society, the NCA. To become a member of the NVSC chiropractors have to be a member of the NCA and follow post-gradual education with the International Federation for Sports Chiropractic (FICS).

fltr: Jean-Pierre Meersseman, Wim Brussee, Bob Bonnemayers

Written and translated by Jeanne Dieleman for Chiropractie Brussee
Contact: JDexposities@gmail.com or info@chiropractie-brussee.nl