A descriptive study of sports chiropractors with an International Chiropractic Sport Science Practitioner qualification: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background This paper describes the education and case management profile of sports chiropractors with the Federation of International Sports Chiropractors (FICS) postgraduate qualification: International Chiropractic Sport Science Practitioner (ICSSP). The ICSSP is the predominant international sports chiropractic qualification. Methods A cross-sectional survey, carried out between 22/10/2014 and 22/12/2014,was utilized with a 39-item web-based survey examining practitioner, practice and clinical management characteristics, and was distributed via email to all sports chiropractors who held an ICSSP qualification (n = 240) in 2014. Results The survey response rate was 64% (n = 154). 36% of chiropractors were aged between 31 and 40 years, just over three quarters were male, and 27% had been in practice for 5–10 years. The majority of respondents were based in North America. All sports chiropractors surveyed reported treating neuromusculoskeletal conditions outside of the spine. 91% utilized a multimodal approach in most of their treatments, prescribing rehabilitative exercises in 76% of consultations. Almost 64% of respondents reported current treatment of professional athletes, and 78% reported current treatment of semi-professional athletes, whilst the vast majority of those surveyed endorsed past treatment of professional (91%) and semi-professional (95%) athletes. All respondents reported referring to a range of conventional and allied health providers. Conclusions This study of ICSSP-qualified sports chiropractors describes a small but well-educated workforce treating high-level athletes, managing a wide range of spine and non-spinal neuromusculoskeletal conditions, utilising multimodal approaches (including active and passive strategies), and referring to and co-managing with other health practitioners.

I expected to be pain free: a qualitative study exploring athletes’ expectations and experiences of care received by sports chiropractors

“…Many participants described that their sports chiropractor took the time to identify the cause of their problem, which sometimes involved addressing their sports technique or injury mechanism, and often involved evaluating and treating areas distant to the injured site to improve their overall body mechanics. Our qualitative data support previous self-report surveys characterizing sports chiropractic practice that reported the frequent use of multi-modal care interventions [ 20 – 23 ], the treatment of the extremities [ 21 – 23 ], and treatment intentions to improve sport performance [ 22 , 23 ]. While providing musculoskeletal assessment and treatment including at and beyond the injury site, this approach to care is not unique to sports chiropractors.…”

“…Additionally, the use of physical and complementary therapies has been reported to be a part of competitive athletes’ lifestyle practices [ 19 ]. It has been suggested that sports chiropractic care may differ from the care provided by general practice chiropractors, with self-report data revealing chiropractors with sports qualifications more often utilize a multimodal approach [ 20 – 23 ], frequently treat extremity conditions [ 21 – 23 ], and apply interventions with the intent to improve sports performance [ 23 ]. Despite these reports, clinical evidence of these defining characteristics of sports chiropractic practice has not been directly investigated, and it is not known how athletes perceive and experience the care provided by sports chiropractors.…”

Unlocking Athletic Potential: The Integration of Chiropractic Care into the Sports Industry and Its Impact on the Performance and Health of Athletes and Economic Growth in China and Hong Kong

“…Establishing chiropractic clinics and centers that cater to the needs of athletes and the general population is a crucial step in this process. These facilities should be outfitted with cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment equipment, thereby enabling chiropractors to provide evidence-based, high-quality care [ 40 ].…”

Quiropráctica como alternativa útil dentro de los equipos multidisciplinarios de salud con atención deportiva: una revisión documental.

“…El Quiropráctico en el deporte debe basar su práctica en evidencia, así como reconocer la importancia del manejo multidisciplinario junto con otros profesionales para lograr favorecer de manera conjunta los intereses del deportista (Hoskins, et, al. 2009;Nelson, et, al. 2021).…”