Shared by Dr. Mike at: Sportschirodoc@aol.com

Creating an alliance with a sports team

If you want to forge a bond with athletic directors and athletic 
trainers at local universities, I would suggest that you have a very 
good background in sports related injuries.  The ATC's want to know 
that you can work competently with their athletes and that you 
understand the MOI (mechanism of injury).  In order for you to 
properly rehab these people, you must understand how they got hurt 
and how to quickly rehab them so they can get back on the field.  
Rehab them doesn't necessarily mean muscle stim and ultrasound.  I 
am suggesting extremity adjusting and understanding sprain/strains.

The ATC may be the only ones dealing with sprain/strains and 
reducing dislocations etc.  But you should have a good understanding 
of this to show that you are competent.  Athletes are going to injure 
their feet, shoulders and hands.  Extremity adjusting is very helpful 
to athletes.  Many will need this along with spinal adjusting.

You didn't mention your background.  Do you have an MS degree, CCSP, 
CCEP?  With all do respect these ATC's and athletic directors 
probably have been bombarded by previous D.C.'s.  You need to be able 
to set yourself apart to show that you understand sports related 
injuries and you can help their athletes.  These people do not want to 
hear "I'll just toggle them and the power that made the body will 
heal the body!"

What I am telling you is what I've been previously told by others.  
One in particular is a professor of my who is also a certified ATC 
and has worked with Olympic athletes.  He feels that the trend is 
going to make more D.C.'s have their MS degree in order to get their 
foot in the door.  Due to time constraints of running a practice, a MS 
degree may not be feasible to you.  I would then strongly suggest 
CCSP or CCEP.  They want to see that you basically have more 
knowledge in sports areas.  

The purpose of your e-mail may have been to get some tips on how to 
schmooze these people to get your foot in the door.  Basically what I 
am telling you, is what you should know before you even go and talk 
to these people.  I am not trying to discourage you, I applaud your 
ambition.  Just do some homework prior to your visit.  I am sure that 
these people are interested in Chiropractic, but it's the other tools 
in your bag of tricks that can really show why they need you.