Q&A with Engage 2020 Presenters: Dr. Lisa Thomson

ACA’s annual meeting this year becomes Engage 2020. The new name is part of the association’s ongoing efforts to position members for success by bringing them advocacy and leadership-development opportunities, networking events and cutting-edge education programs.

Lisa Thomson, DC, CFMP, NRCME, is one of Engage 2020’s education program presenters. Her presentation, “Building a Better Athlete: A Team Approach,” will focus on the importance of the team approach when treating athletes as well as some of the most critical movement patterns for athletic performance. It takes place Thursday, Jan. 30, at 3:30 p.m. For complete conference information and schedules, click here, and learn more about Dr. Thomson’s presentation in our Q&A with her below:

How is your topic relevant to today’s chiropractor?

When working with athletes, it’s important to understand the movement patterns that their sport demands of their bodies. Additionally, it’s important to communicate appropriately with the athletes, coaches, trainers, orthopedists, etc., to build a better athlete. Proper assessments combined with great communication can take an athlete to a whole new level.

How can knowing more about this topic help chiropractors be successful now and into the future?

When a practitioner can effectively communicate to athletes regarding the physical limitations that may be holding them back, those athletes become loyal patients. In addition, when we can communicate those limitations to their team of coaches and doctors, etc., we get a great referral source.  Becoming proficient in the concepts that sports-specific analysis systems such as TPI, OnBaseU and RacquetFit are built upon, and using those systems in practice, can provide better results, increased patient satisfaction and increased referrals.

Who should attend your presentation and why?

Anyone who treats athletes, from the weekend warrior to the professional athlete.

What practical knowledge or skills can attendees expect to take away from your presentation?

After completing this course, the participant will be able to identify some of the most important movement patterns for athletic competition.  Additionally, attendees will be able to recognize the value of the team approach to building a better athlete.

What is one piece of information or advice that you want to leave with chiropractors who read this?

If an athlete comes to your office with pain, we need to look beyond the painful area. If a golfer has chronic low back pain and we only treat the low back, we are missing something.  If we treat a young athlete after an ACL tear and don’t look beyond the knee, we are missing something.  If we, as chiropractors, have the ability to recognize physical limitations that have been overlooked, we get better results and improved patient satisfaction.  If we do this and can communicate what we do to the athlete’s coaches, medical team, etc. we can also help improve the image of chiropractic.

To learn more about education programs and CE credits available at Engage 2020 (formerly NCLC) and to register, visit www.acatoday.org/engage.