Who’s on your Team?

Athletes whether they are professional football players or collegiate volleyball players are surrounded by a team of medical providers, team coaches, and strength and conditioning staff all focused on providing a comprehensive program to achieve optimal health and performance.  Outside these settings, however, a coordinated effort between one’s medical doctor, personal trainer, chiropractor, or physical therapist is more of a dream rather than a reality.  Clients are becoming more aware of this “team” approach and are seeking out the one-stop-shop for their training and rehabilitation needs.

Following chiropractic school I was fortunate to experience the “team” approach to rehabilitation while working in the athletic department at the University of California San Diego.   The road to recovery is a collective effort that includes medical doctors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, acupuncturists, strength coaches, and chiropractors.  While many of our skills overlapped, the combined efforts in diagnosis, treatment, and sport specific training provided appropriate checks and balances to ensure we were on the right track for success.  Outside the university setting, however, I worked in a private practice that included two other chiropractors.  Challenging cases with atypical presentations or limitations in my own treatment skills often left me frustrated due to a lack of resources.  It was time to make a change in my personal practice and recreate the university setting I had grown to love.  Around that time, Todd Durkin was in search of a sports-based chiropractor to complete his team of rehabilitation and training staff at Fitness Quest 10.  The opportunity included a team of physical therapists (Water and Sports Physical Therapy), massage therapists, a world class group of strength and conditioning coaches, Pilates instructors, and yoga teachers.  Christmas had come early.

After 2 short years since joining the “team,” it’s safe to say I have experienced the most growth professionally, educationally, and personally, than in college and post graduate work combined.  I believe the key to this success lies in the motivation of those around you, your “teammates” dedication to mastering their craft, and pure enjoyment of learning from those constantly seeking the best information available.  No one settles for mediocrity in this establishment and failure is not an option.

I write this in hopes of encouraging other industry professionals to put aside the egos, if you haven’t already done so, and seek out your “team.”  Finding a core group of individuals with varied backgrounds, who speak the same language, and work together to improve your client’s/patient’s health and physical performance, is unprecedented.  Maybe I speak for myself, but this profession is not about us.  It’s not about how much money you make, how smart you are, how great your skills are, or how many people follow you on Twitter.  We are a profession of service and I would venture to say that 99% of us feel the most satisfied when we meet our client’s goals and exceed their expectations.  Therefore, whether you are a chiropractor, physical therapist, medical doctor, strength coach, sports coach, message therapist, etc., a team of masterminds is critical to your personal and professional success.  Research your local professionals, connect with like-minded individuals in the industry, combine services under one roof, and pick the brains of your teammates.  In the words of Martin Rooney, “Success and mediocrity are both contagious.  If you want to be great, surround yourself with great people and get infected.” Most importantly, your clients will appreciate your “team” effort in their quest for health and wellness.

Dr. Jennifer Reiner is the chiropractor for Water and Sports Physical Therapy and Fitness Quest 10 in San Diego, California.  She obtained a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Exercise Science from the University of Florida and went on to pursue a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic West.  As a member of the Palmer West Sports Council, Dr. Reiner focused her studies on sports injuries and rehabilitation.  She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

She spent five years as the official chiropractor for the University of California San Diego, providing care to a variety of sports including swimming, soccer, volleyball, track and field, tennis, and basketball.  Dr. Reiner is certified in Graston Technique as well as Active Release Technique (ART).  She also holds certifications in FMS (Functional Movement Screen), SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment), TRX suspension training, and K-laser therapy.