While most of us only watched the Summer Olympics from afar, a Naples doctor returned from London last week, where he’d been helping Team USA athletes train.
Dr. Cade Copeland of LIFE Strength Family Chiropracticin East Naples spent nearly two weeks in London working with team USA athletes. Copeland is part of a network of chiropractors affiliated with a global health initiative called Maximized Living that’s been working with Olympic Athletes. Copeland spent the last year working with competitors in judo, weightlifting and wrestling.
“So many people have a view of chiropractic in that people only use it when they hurt or when they’re sick,” said Copeland. “And, what we do with these athletes and what we do in our office has nothing to do with being in pain or hurting or anything. It’s really making sure that your body is working and performing at its best.”
Copeland says his time in London was primarily spent in pre-training with wrestling competitors.
“So, we were just there helping the athletes get ready for the competition and of course adjusting them,” said Copeland. “Not only to make sure they’re not going to get hurt and making sure their injury isn’t going to happen, but making sure that if an injury does happen, that they’re able to heal as fast as possible and get back on the mat.”
This year’s Olympic games mark the first time a large group of chiropractors have been invited to work alongside Team USA doctors and trainers.
Medal-winning athletes Copeland’s worked with in the past include judo competitors Kayla Harrison and Marty Malloy who earned the gold and bronze respectively, and Clarissa Chun who took the bronze in wrestling.
