Palmer West Sports Council

About Sports Council

With an impressive lineup that includes seminars, guest speakers, workshops and on-field care, Palmer West covers all the bases when it comes to providing valuable information and hands-on experience for students interested in the specialized discipline of Sports Chiropractic.

Founded in 1994, Palmer West’s Sports Council has evolved into one of the College’s most popular student clubs, with more than 200 members, nearly 100% of the entire PCCW student body. While rising student membership has concurrently elevated the College's profile within the Sports Chiropractic community, it’s the equally rapid rise of practical, on-field learning opportunities that has earned the College’s Sports Council a respected national reputation as one of the most active organizations in the field of Sports Chiropractic.

“Palmer West has one of the most prolific sports groups in the country,” said Dr. Jan Corwin the 1984 U.S. Olympic team Chiropractor, the first doctor of Chiropractic to earn such a distinguished appointment, and a frequent speaker at PCCW Sports Council workshops. Palmer West’s Sports Council has participated in activities from Hawaii to Florida. It’s a tremendous experience for students.”

“The climate of the Bay Area and the health-conscious lifestyle of the people who live here make this an area where there are various types of athletic events taking place virtually year– round,” said Dr. Edward Feinberg, DACBSP, Palmer West Sports Council faculty advisor.

“Palmer’s Sports Council is an extension of the student’s learning experience, and the playing field becomes an extended classroom. We see it all, from strains and sprains, to acute injures, such as shoulder separations and anterior cruciate injuries. To borrow a phrase from a well-known shoe company, there’s no better way to learn than to ‘Just Do It’.”

What does the Sports Council provide?

The Palmer West Sports Council offers a wide variety of learning opportunities in the field of Sports Chiropractic for Students in all quarters. The council sponsors lectures by some of the most renown doctors in the field of Sports Chiropractic including; Dr. Tom Hyde, team Chiropractor of the Miami Dolphins and University of Miami football teams; Dr. Tim Brown, 1998 Sports D.C. of the Year and chiropractor for professional volleyball tournaments;

Dr. Andre Chevalier and Dr. Steve Capobianco, team Chiropractors for the San Jose Earthquakes professional soccer team; Dr. Abby Irwin, Women's Rugby Team Doctor; Dr. Amor Adams , Medical Coordinator of Oakland, CA High School Sports; Dr. Nancy Buck and Dr. Karen Chaney, Team doctors for the Sacramento Sirens Women's Professional Football team; Dr. Jan Alden, Specializing in biomechanics of being a female Chiropractor.

These doctors bring vital insight into the latest trends, techniques and procedures in Sports Chiropractic through a variety of didactic and hands-on workshops. Workshop topics include: taping, bracing, on-field emergency and Chiropractic care, soft tissue work, rehabilitation in addition to practical advice seminars on setting up a Sports Chiropractic clinic.

“The Sports Council at Palmer West is the most active student Sports Council in the profession,” said Dr. Thomas Hyde, “ The Council is guided by leaders of tomorrow in Sports Chiropractic and has the support of the President of the college and staff members.”

In addition to offering seminars and workshops, the Sports Council also provides year round practical “on-field” opportunities for students to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom. Palmer West’s Sports Council provides on-field care at events ranging from recreational to elite level competitions, including: The Dew Action Sports Tour, Sea Otter Classic, Tri-One Triathlon, Kona Ironman Triathlon, Muddy Buddy, Hoop it Up, as well as local rugby and soccer tournaments.

“If you want to specialize in Sports Chiropractic someday, no matter what your philosophy is, the Sports Council is a must,” said Dr. Rich Robinson, a 1995 Palmer West Alumnus, and founding President of Palmer West’s SACA Sports Council chapter.

How do I get involved?

Palmer West Sports Council membership is open to students in all quarters. While on field care is restricted to qualified interns, students in quarters one through eight also enjoy plenty of practical learning opportunities and hands-on experience.

“The ever growing demand for Chiropractic services for athletes has allowed us to give our members great exposure to practical hands-on experience and learning,” san Kendon Dressel, Sports Council President ‘’97-’98 term.

“The classroom will never be able to replicate the experiences that our members are receiving from their experiences at the events. Whether it’s a lower-quarter students assisting and observing the process or an intern-level member rendering care for the athletes, the educational components of our chapter provide an ongoing learning experience at all levels.”

To take part in the on-field athletic events, students must first complete Sports Elective I, a short course designed to educate the students on the proper taping techniques, stretches, and proper procedures and protocols for working with athletes. This qualifies members to attend all events as an “assistant/observer.” Seventh quarter, students are eligible to take the Sports Elective II, which focuses on sport specific adjusting techniques, injury assessments, and on-field emergency procedures. CPR certification is another requirement students must satisfy in order to provide on-field care at Sports Council events.

Council Members Earn Adjusting Credits at Events

During the Sports Council’s first three years, hands-on activity by students was restricted to soft –tissue therapy, taping and stretching; only the supervising event doctor was authorized to provide chiropractic care. A major change occurred when the college approved a new policy which now enables Sports Council members (who have passed Sports Elective I and II and are outpatient ready), under the supervision of the event Doctor, to also provide Chiropractic care, earning adjusting credits towards graduation. This raised the caliber of the “on-field" experience to an even higher level.