Parker College: Press Release
Parker Spreads Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy to Athletes from Around the World at the Americas Race Walking Championship
Parker provides chiropractic adjustments and massages to athletes during the Americas Race Walking Championship
San Salvador, El Salvador — Parker College of Chiropractic and the Parker School of Massage Therapy were represented on an international level during the Americas Race Walking Championship held in San Salvador, El Salvador April 29 through May 3, 2009.
Dr. Duane Vincent, a clinic faculty doctor in the Dallas Parker College Chiropractic Wellness Clinic and Certified Chiropractic Sports Practitioner (CCSP), and Dr. Drew Riffe, director of the Parker School of Massage Therapy, managed a team of three Parker chiropractic interns and three massage therapists as they delivered care to athletes, coaches, and support staff from 14 countries—the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, Costa Rica, Canada, Panama, El Salvador, Chile, Nicaragua, Ecuador, and the United States.
“Attending in representation of Parker was an extremely rewarding experience for both the interns as well as for me,” said Dr. Vincent. “We were able to apply the proper sports treating protocols such as kinesiotaping [and] stretching techniques while also instilling a sense of confidence in their ability to deliver chiropractic care.”
The Americas Race Walking Championship hosted 10K, 20K, and 50K races for men, women, and juniors from each participating country. Parker set up a tent near the circuit where all the races took place—a great spot for treating many of the participants and others who were interested in receiving care.
“Every athlete that we treated, and even those we didn’t, all seemed so enticed with what we were doing,” said Jennifer Torres, a Parker Student intern. “We had lines of people waiting to get help…even the spectators would ask, ‘Can you evaluate me?’”
During the visit, the interns performed approximately 165 adjustments, and the massage therapists provided 130 massages to patients.
“The athletes were in phenomenal shape and it was a real privilege to be able to work with them,” said Liberty Street, a Parker School of Massage Therapy alum. He was joined by fellow alumni Brittany Moore and Brittany Wilson.
It is part of Parker’s vision and mission to help grow the chiropractic and massage therapy professions around the world while at the same time giving student interns and alumni the best possible opportunities to further their education and serve in new ways.
“The trip was amazing and will certainly shape my practice and who I am as a chiropractor,” said Scott Phillips, a Parker student intern and Student Senate president. “I feel I was taught how to really focus on a problem area and treat it quickly but effectively.”
“I feel every intern at Parker should experience such a life-changing event of this magnitude so they can also realize the importance of what we do and also gain the experience, which is priceless,” Parker student intern Jacob Torres.
Both the chiropractic and massage services were highly valued, and Parker received promotion at the event each day and certificates of participation from the athletes. The local newspaper even ran a photo of the Parker team at work.
“[The interns and massage therapists] all went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the athletes received excellent care,” said Dr. Vincent. “Their hard work was greatly appreciated by each and every country we serviced.”
“Many coaches/trainers were asking about our availability at upcoming events,” said Dr. Riffe. “I believe it was a very valuable event for chiropractic.”