Seattle Marathon Draws Record Number of Sports Council DCs
Jacob Waller, DC, CSCS

It was another successful year for the WSCA Sports Council team at the annual Seattle Marathon on Nov. 25. Compared to recent years, we had a record number of chiropractors volunteer to participate and therefore were able to provide treatment to nearly 100 of the professional and amateur runners and walkers. Like always, the marathon was held on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This year’s event boasted nearly 14,000 men, women and kids who participated in the different events.

Dr. Ben Jennings Adjusting a Patient

Working next to teams of acupuncturists, massage therapists, and the UW Medical Center’s staff, the Sports Council volunteers helped treat runners in the post-race recovery area with a variety of typical running injuries of the foot/ankle, knee and hips. By far the most common injuries treated were knee pain, mostly related to Illiotibial band strain, and low back pain. We had a wide range of techniques represented which made it easy to accommodate each individual runner effectively and efficiently.

Dr. Dennis Dilday with a Patient

A few of the chiropractors spent time camped out at the finish line with the UW Medical Center staff, helping with injured runners as they came across the line. There was a mix of asthma attacks, exhaustion, hypothermia, cramps, and sprain/strains, causing some runners to collapse as they crossed the finish line. The UW Medical Center staff expressed their appreciation for having our doctors onsite to help triage the patients and transport them to the medical tents for treatment.

Dr. Jacob Waller Assessing a Leg Injury

I want to thank all of the doctors who participated this year: Drs. Erin Anderson, Peter Carr, Shelley Cathrea-Roy, Rachel Catini, Dennis Dilday, Ben Jennings, Masahiro Takakura and Natasha Whittaker. It was a very successful event thanks to the hard work of these doctors and their willingness to give up some of their precious free time to volunteer their services.

To find out more information about the WSCA Sports Council and learn how to participate at sporting events with the Sports Council. please visit: http://www.chirohealth.org/sportscouncil.htm

—Dr. Jacob Waller owns Performance Chiropractic Clinic in Mill Creek, Wash. He can be reached at (425) 385-3060.