Athletes Take Advantage of Chiropractic Care for Peak Performance

Dr. Jeremy Bowman, Class of 2018
Practice Specialty: Sports

When Dr. Jeremy Bowman was a little kid, he bounced from one doctor to the next in search of answers to health problems that had plagued him for far too long.

“I had multiple health issues that were continually unresolved from other providers,” said Bowman, who sought chiropractic care at the urging of a family friend. “After a few months, most of my issues had eased dramatically and continued to improve with regular care.”

Discovering chiropractic finally released Bowman from the stranglehold of illness —and inspired the 10-year-old boy with the direction for his future life’s work. “I decided then that I wanted to give that hope for improvement to others in similar circumstances,” Bowman said.

Putting the Pieces Together

Before launching his studies at Sherman College, Bowman first became a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and completed the Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) certification. “Any chiropractor can see athletes and adjust them, but to understand all aspects of the training and sport-specific demands, additional knowledge is preferable,” Bowman said.

He noted that while the Performance Enhancement Specialist certification can be completed during or after chiropractic school, the ATC is typically a bachelor’s or master’s program with a board exam. “I recommend that anyone interested in working with an athletic population plan to pursue post-graduate certifications to be able to provide comprehensive care to athletes.”

Working with Athletes Offers Unique Challenges

“Chiropractic care should be a key part of any athlete’s training regimen because of the stress being placed on the body,” Bowman said. “Proper movement, flexibility and strength are dependent on a solid foundation within the spine and nervous system.”

Caring for athletes provides a unique set of issues because they tend to push their bodies harder or play through an injury in their quest for better performance.

“Athletes tend to produce interesting challenges for a doctor —whether that be aggressive timelines for return to play or simply their case presentation,” Bowman said. “However, there are few things more rewarding in practice than watching someone limp into your office one day and be back on the field or court the next.”

Know Your “Why”

Ask any chiropractor about their years in school and the process of learning their profession, and most will tell you that it can be an arduous process. Bowman has advice for anyone exploring a career path in chiropractic.

“Keep the end goal in mind and remember what made you want to start in the first place,” Bowman said. “Your ‘why’ is what will push you to make it.”