Chiropractic has hit the beach due to the efforts of a Chiropractor from Newport Beach, California. Top professional surfers and pro beach volleyball players have been receiving adjustments from their chiropractor right on the sand, in front of crowds of people! So just who is this "beach doctor?" -- Dr.
Surfing as a member of the National Championship Surf Team at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California and playing Pro Beach Volleyball himself, has helped Dr. Brown get his foot in the door as the first chiropractor ever to be appointed as national director of sports medicine for the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP).
In this position, Dr. Brown is responsible for on-site and continuing treatment of athletic injuries at all 25 volleyball tournament sites across the United States. This included treatment of pro volleyball champions, Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos.
According to AVP President, Jon Stevenson, "Dr. Brown has done wonders for all of the players. Pro beach volleyball runs for an eight month season -- all that travel and playing puts a lot of wear and tear on the players' bodies, so we really looked to Dr. Brown to help keep us in good health."
Dr. Brown was joined by G. Douglas Andersen, D.C. as they coordinated a multi-disciplinary approach whenever possible throughout the long tour. Massage therapists, physical therapists, athletic trainers, orthopaedic surgeons, and local sports chiropractors were invited to participate. For many of those other health care professionals, it was the first time they had ever been exposed to the amazing results of chiropractic care first hand.
According to Dr. Andersen: "It was thrilling to have the players choose chiropractic care for their injuries, when many other health care professionals were available. It was also satisfying to have MDs and RPTs enthusiastically request business cards from myself, Dr. Brown, and other local DCs who participated. I never thought I'd see the day when orthopaedic surgeons would request chiropractic diagnosis and treatment for their own back problems."
Most recently, the Ocean Pacific Professional Surfing Championship in Huntington Beach, California was fully covered by chiropractic care as Dr. Brown served along with Dr. G. Douglas Andersen and his brother, Garrett Andersen, D.C. as sports chiropractors for the event.
When asked about how chiropractic was received, Dr. Brown replied: "The OP Pro was an experience of a life time as we were able to treat 90 percent of the surfers right there on the sand. Pro surfers Marty Thomas, Richie Collins, Rob Bain, Derek Ho, Barton Lynch, Cheyne Horan, and Lisa Anderson received adjustments just before they competed, with crowds of fans watching. I felt so proud to be able to promote the profession in this manner. I also felt lucky to be sponsored both as an event doctor and as an athlete by Oakley Eyewear and Mossimo Sportswear. These two companies, as well as the athletes, are taking a monumental step for the promotion of chiropractic.
"Surfing is such a natural and environmental sport. Chiropractic goes hand in hand with the surfers' lifestyle and their desire to do only things that are natural for their bodies. Surfers are highly concerned about top performance capability; therefore, they worry about the side effects of some health care treatments. As surfing is the ultimate demonstration of the utilization of Innate intelligence, chiropractic is the natural choice for their health care needs and concerns."
Both surfing and volleyball place rigorous demands on the body, requiring high cardiovascular stamina as well as strength and flexibility in specific muscle groups. For this reason, Dr. Brown recommends cross-training activities in an effort to balance the muscles of the body. This prevents many of the wear and tear injuries most commonly experienced.
"Surfers experience low back injuries more than anything else; the spine isn't made for the rotational and compression factors involved in today's professional surfing. Surfers must be in tune with their body's needs and chiropractic teaches them how to take an active role in their own health care. Volleyball, on the other hand, primarily presents facet syndromes to the low back; tendinitis and cartilage damage to the knees; and deceleration and impingement injuries to the shoulder and rotater cuff. Sprain strains to the muscles, tendons or ligaments of all the major muscles and joints of the body are also common. Volleyball, being a unilateral sport, also tends to leave the body unbalanced in muscle strength. Cross-training is particularly important for these athletes," explained Dr. Brown.
Being both a surfer and pro beach volleyball player himself has helped Dr. Tim Brown a great deal in his chiropractic practice. It has taught him to understand the language and terminology that his patients use. It also helps him to relate to both their pain and their need to overcome an injury as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to return to competition. But most of all, his personal experience has gained him the trust and confidence of the surfers and volleyball players whom he treats.
This past summer, chiropractic was given national exposure as Dr. Brown was seen as a weekly sports health commentator for ESPN's "Surfer Magazine," where he discussed nutrition and demonstrated proper stretching techniques for both the amateur and pro surfer. He was also seen twice weekly on Prime Ticket's coverage of pro beach volleyball. On this show, he would predict the players' performance potential, based on his knowledge of their injuries. He also was seen explaining to the younger players who were watching, how to avoid the injuries that they witnessed.
Taking chiropractic to the sports world is Dr. Tim Brown's goal: he began this quest through education. He holds degrees in physical education, biology, and teaching from the University of Redlands, and he is a 1983 graduate of Cleveland College of Chiropractic in Los Angeles. Since that time, he has taught high school biology; coached football; been team doctor for the football team at his alma mater, Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach; is a consultant for the football and volleyball teams at both Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California and Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California as well as for the crew team at University of California at Irvine.
On September 30, Dr. Brown will be working at the Hard Rock Cafe Pro Beach Open, a volleyball tournament in Santa Monica. He and Dr. Anderson are currently negotiating with the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and the Professional Surfing Association of America (PSAA) to be allowed to be involved in all West Coast and Hawaii events.
Both medical and orthopaedic doctors have contacted Dr. Brown and Dr. Anderson and expressed interest in getting involved in their efforts. For once the tables are turning, chiropractors are the gate keepers for other health care professions.
Those interested in joining Dr. Brown and Dr. Anderson or learning more about their work are invited to contact:
Tim W. Brown, D.C.
Newport Bodyworks
2902 W. Pacific Coast Hwy.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(714) 646-8830
OR
G. Douglas Andersen, D.C.
916 East Imperial Hwy.
Brea, CA 92621
(714) 990-0824
Click here for previous articles by G. Douglas Andersen, DC, DACBSP, CCN.
Dr. Tim Brown, co-medical director of the Association of Surfing Professionals, has more than 25 years of experience working with some of the world's elite athletes across a broad range of sports. A former college football player, Pro Beach Volleyball player, and skilled surfer and snowboarder, Dr. Brown revolutionized the world of sports taping in the early 1980s while working as the medical director for the Association of Volleyball Professionals. He is also the creator of IntelliSkin functional posture and performance apparel.