Collegiate collaboration: Universities partner to treat student athletes

January 8, 2015 — While private practice doctors of chiropractic have provided care to collegiate athletes for years, it’s rare to see collegiate athletic teams partner with chiropractic universities for care.

That is why a growing partnership between two Missouri universities is so unique: Logan University in Chesterfield now has a physical presence on the University of Missouri’s campus in Columbia.

“We are a tool for Mizzou athletes—to augment their therapy and to help bring them back to the field in top physical condition,” said Jose Ramirez (pictured, left), DC, MS, CCSP, who is leading the effort as director of Logan’s Human Performance Center at Mizzou.

While Tiger football is Logan’s top priority, Ramirez and Logan interns also treat athletes from other Mizzou sports teams, including softball, soccer, and varsity cheerleading.

“For the most part, we are adjusting and assessing as a result of on-the-field injuries or problems that slowly creep up and become chronic,” Ramirez said. “Seventy percent of the problems are just wear and tear from performing at a high level.”

Rex Sharp (pictured, right), associate athletic director at the University of Missouri, said Logan’s presence reinforces unparalleled healthcare for student-athletes.

“The care provided by the staff and students at Logan is consistent with the expectations of our Mizzou team physicians and other allied health professionals involved in our athletic healthcare program,” he said.

This partnership, which stemmed from a relationship that began eight years ago, not only benefits Mizzou’s athletes but gives Logan students a deeper clinical experience, as well. The students now have the opportunity to work in an integrated healthcare environment among certified athletic trainers and orthopedic surgeons.

“The interns are expanding their knowledge in diagnosis and are getting to work with some of the best healthcare professionals in the industry, like an ACL surgeon who has been in the field for 35 years,” Ramirez said. “You can’t put a value on that experience.”

Ramirez said he plans to enhance the program and establish more full-time rotations for Logan interns and looks forward to further promoting chiropractic in collegiate sports.

Source: Logan University