The NY Times just featured an article about a chiropractor many Olympians have relied on. I had been the medical director for USA Track and Field in NJ for 26 years and many of the stories he shared in the article were familiar to me as well. Many athletes see me as their body mechanic. Being in practice for 35 plus years, I have had the pleasure and also the learning experience of working with elite athletes, some of whom are former Olympians and some who are working to become the future Olympians. Recently, the NY Times published an article on one Olympic chiropractor who is in Colorado and works with many Olympic athletes. I relate to many of those experiences, having worked with pro-bowlers years ago (since our office was close to Carolier Lanes, a known stop on the Pro Bowlers Tour. I had the privilege of working with elite tour members who relied on us to keep their bodies moving pain-free as they tried to make it to the finals. In one instance in the 1990s, I recognized two bowlers who were having knee problems and would benefit from foot orthotics. There were not many options for off-the-shelf inserts so I made it possible for them to get the devices made and rushed back in time for their next tour stop on Long Island. Something as simple as that can make a huge difference when you are throwing heavy balls down alleyway hundreds of times per week. Sports Chiropractic began in NJ, and I had been active in the sports chiropractic community here since the early 1990s and had worked with and learned from very talented people. This is why I am sharing this article with you. I am the old guard. The new guard is made up of people like this doctor who are doing great things for athletes. Helping athletes perform and improve their performance is part of the legacy of chiropractic. While this year is hardly normal, athletes know it's the chiropractor who will help them in their time of need naturally, without drugs or surgery. Check the article out below. When All Else Fails, It’s Time to See the Olympic Body Mechanic How did John Ball become the go-to health professional for track and field athletes with creaky hips and balky knees? A devotee answers: Have you seen his hands? By Scott Cacciola Published Aug. 3, 2021 CHANDLER, Ariz. — John Ball was savoring the silence. It was pushing 10 p.m. on a weeknight in early June, and his small clinic was largely empty for a change. Only Colleen Quigley, a world-class steeplechaser, was lingering for treatment, though Ball said he was anticipating another “straggler.” Olympians need help. They need physical therapists and strength coaches and sports psychologists. They need specialists to mend their bodies and heal their minds. They need people like Ball, who, to his dismay, is the most celebrated chiropractor in track and field. “He’s a genius,” said Molly Huddle, the American record-holder in the women’s 10,000 meters. “That’s my guy,” said the triple jumper Will Claye, a three-time Olympic medalist. “You do realize this job is going to kill me,” said Ball. Read more