Northwestern adds sports chiropractic emphasis

May 21, 2018—Northwestern Health Sciences University has created a sports chiropractic degree emphasis to allow students to focus on clinical care of athletes as they prepare for careers in this fast-growing field after graduation.

In the past two years, the number of students attending Northwestern to pursue sports-care opportunities in chiropractic has grown by more than 10 percent. In addition, more teams and international sports organizations have established professional relationships with Northwestern’s Human Performance Center to help manage the care of their athletes. Teams include the Minnesota Vixen women’s professional football team, the Minnesota Freeze Australian rules football team, the USA Tug of War team and numerous international track and field teams, along with their individual athletes.

“The specialty discipline of sports care is growing quickly,” said Dr. Tim Stark, a chiropractor and director of the Human Performance Center. “With interest high among teams and athletes—as well as among our students who want to work in this field—we have responded with this innovative new degree emphasis.”

Northwestern President and CEO Chris Cassirer said, “At Northwestern, we are training the health-care leaders of tomorrow. A big part of what the marketplace is seeking is better and more thoughtful care of athletes and all of us who are engaged in sports and activities. Our chiropractic doctors are uniquely qualified to provide care in this area. This new degree emphasis will ensure that they are at the top of the list for providing treatment, enhancing performance and ensuring safety and health.”

In the new emphasis program, students may start in their fourth or fifth trimesters studying advanced diagnosis, examination and functional assessment as well as advanced hands-on techniques. Specific courses include: concussion and head-injury assessment, athletic taping, pre-participation physicals, advanced lower and upper extremity management, sports imaging and a sports internship. The courses and internship result in a special designation on students’ transcripts and diplomas.

Those interested in learning more about the sports emphasis track in Northwestern’s Doctor of Chiropractic program can contact the Northwestern Admissions Office at 952-885-5409 or admit@nwhealth.edu.

Source: Northwestern Health Sciences University