UPFRONT | Columnist BUSINESS TALK A Dr. Volunteer… The truth about chiropractors in pro sports DR. ANTHONY J. LOMBARDI, DC sizable part of my clinical practice is seeing amateur and some professional athletes who pay out of pocket for my services. The irony is that chiropractors who work for professional sports teams often work pro-bono. My research verified that while many non-health-care professionals who work with pro teams get paid – chiropractors for the most part are volunteering their time. I interviewed chiropractors at the Olympic, Major League Baseball, Canadian Football League, and Na-tional Football League level. This is what they had to say about the busi-ness side of working with professional sports teams. There is a misconception that chiropractors are well compen-sated for their time. That is simply not true -however, using the affiliation to benefit their private practice can be fruitful. it sounds crazy, her time is volun-Arizona Diamondbacks; and three teered. When she is out of her office, other Major League Baseball DCs she pays another DC to cover for her. who spoke to me on the condition of “It is definitely a labour of love,” anonymity. LaShomb said. LaShomb also pointed The DC position with an MLB out it is important to note that this team ranges across the board. Some situation is not unique to chiroprac-doctors provide care voluntarily with tors. Other health-care providers, like some perks, such as game tickets and MDs, RMTs and athletic therapists, clothing. While other chiropractors are volunteer their time with the Olympic paid as independent contractors for as teams, too. much as $100 US per hour during LaShomb feels it is difficult to gauge spring training. whether her sports affiliation is a ben-Most MLB DCs feel their affiliation efit to her practice. “I’m not sure if my with the team allows them to stand out position helps or hurts my practice,” among their colleagues. When patients LaShomb commented. I’m sure it’s refer their friends and family to these not a great business advantage to be doctors, they often proudly report that gone as often as I have been, but I love Dr. XY is the team chiropractor of it and I try my best to accommodate Team A in the MLB. In addition, the my patients before and after I travel. I prospective patients also feel that had a long-time patient tell me he was since a major sports team trusts the leaving my care because I was gone chiropractor, they can, too. too long for the Olympics. Although The consensus among MLB DCs is he was the first patient to ever tell me, that being a team chiropractor in the I would guess there have been others MLB is not a big moneymaker. How-Olympics: Working overtime that have gone elsewhere for care ever, Kaufman pointed out it can be a It was explained to me that in the while I’ve been away and not returned. part of an overall branding strategy for U.S., they have three Olympic Train-I’m sure it’s not a great business ad-your private practice. “Since becom-ing Centers. There is a full-time DC vantage to be gone as often ing the team chiropractor, my at each location and these are paid as I have been, but I love it practice has evolved into 95 positions. The training centres also and I try my best to accom-per cent sports injury treat-have volunteer programs where DCs modate my patients before Prospective ment and rehabilitation,” rotate through in two-week cycles. and after I travel. I’ve come patients feel Kaufman asserted. “Most chiropractors that Some chiropractors travel with differ-in early, stayed late, treated that since a ent national teams. These DCs are patients during my lunch-major sports work for pro teams go to the generally chosen by that sport’s na-time and on days off to do team trusts the facility to treat the players. In tional governing body and these are the best I can to accommo-chiropractor, my experience, I built the also volunteer positions. Most of the date them.” sports portion of my practice they can, too. time, the NGB will pay for the chiro-by having the players come to practors’ travel/airfare and hotel. Baseball: Full count me.” Kaufman urges that this I spoke with Dr. Sherri LaShomb, a I interviewed Baltimore can be achieved by “retrain-chiropractor with the Taekwondo U.S. Orioles team chiropractor Dr. Ken ing” the pros to come to your office Olympic Team. She said that although Kaufman; Dr. Rick Bishop, DC of the during their off-season. Alternatively, you can make players aware of the ANTHONY LOMBARDI, DC, is a private consultant to athletes in the NFL, CFL and NHL, and founder of the other services you offer at your office Hamilton Back Clinic, a multidisciplinary clinic. He teaches his fundamental EXSTORE Assessment System and explain why you are not able to and practice building workshops to various health professionals. For more information, visit www.exstore. provide these services at the ballpark. ca. Kaufman went on to explain: “For 10 Chiropractic and Naturopathic Doctor January/February 2022 www.Cndoctor.ca
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