June 2006

Chiropractic, massage team up for Prefontaine race

Chiropractic and massage therapy teamed up to give athletes an edge at the Prefontaine Classic May 28. The Classic, named after long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine, is held in his home state at the Hayward Field on the University of Oregon campus.

Ted Forcum, DC, DC, DACBSP, FICC, CSCS, second vice president of the ACA Sports Council, worked with athletes before and after the events to help restore normal joint function and allow for rapid firing and muscular balance.

Chris Whetsine, LMT, massage therapist for runner Justin Gatlin and on-site healthcare team coordinator said that massage therapists utilized a variety of techniques to facilitate the proper firing of musculature, to elongate shortened tissue, and to work out tightness and knots. In addition to massage, they also used cooling agents, lasers, and taping on individuals who had significant injuries.

“These athletes understand the element of training that most of us neglect—recovery,” said Forcum. “You are only as good as your ability to recover from hard workouts and races. These treatment techniques not only treat injuries, but also improve an athlete's ability to recover from the daily rigors of training and travel.”

Source: Performance Health, Inc./Biofreeze, www.phi.us

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