Dr. Troy Van Biezen
INTERVIEW
“Chiropractor for Champions”
The American Chiropractor
he American Chiropractor (TAC) had the privilege to interview one of the most outstanding sports chiropractors of our day, (TVB) Dr. Troy Van Biezen. Dr. Van Biezen has treated various elite athletes, specifically golfers that have gone on to be champions. We were able to get a little insight into his background and understand what makes him so special.
TAC: Dr Van Biezen, tell us a little about what you are currently involved in?
TVB: I currently live in Dallas, Texas. I am married to my beautiful wife, Carol, and we have two daughters, Taylor and Taryn. I have been in practice for 18 years. I am a graduate of Parker College. I have two clinics in Dallas that consist of chiropractors, massage therapists, and strength coaches. It is an integrative approach where we bridge the gap from acute injury care to sports performance. Having all of these specialists under one roof is very convenient for the patient, but it is also very powerful in that the communication and continuity of care is the main priority.
I have been involved at some level with every pro sports team in Dallas over the years. I was on the PGA Tour medical staff for about eight years. Currently, I am involved with the Dallas Stars hockey team and PGA Tour players. Last year, I traveled about 32 weeks on the road all over the world. I travel exclusively with PGA players Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson, and Jason Dufher. Being on the road that much is definitely a challenge and tough to balance with family life. It is definitely not for everyone.
Last year, 2015, was an incredible year for my players as they had a lot of success, which makes life on the road more tolerable. My guys had 10 victories, which included three major championships and a Players Championship. It has been truly a great experience to be involved with these athletes. They are great golfers, but more importantly great guys off the course. I have been Jordan Spieth’s chiropractor since he was 15 or 16 years old. Watching him elevate to the number one golfer in the world has been very surreal, but also amazing to watch this young kid stay humble.
TAC: What has been the most significant catalyst to your growth as a sports chiropractor?
TVB: The biggest catalyst for me is the ability to assess an athlete/patient, understand the kinetic chain dysfunction in a three-dimensional methodology, and then apply my treat-
ment in an integrative approach. I would incorporate chiropractic manipulations with my soft-tissue modalities followed by a corrective-based exercise/stretch program specific to that athlete’s dysfunction. This approach has been a major stepping-stone in my growth. It has taken a lot of books, courses, video, and many years to get to this level, and it has definitely paid off.
The pro athletes’ inner circle is smaller than most people think. When you start doing great things for these athletes and they trust you, they become very vocal. All of a sudden, you’re getting phone calls from athletes all over the country.
TAC: What is the most common problem (injury) you see among athletes today?
TVB: The most common injured body parts I encounter would be low back and shoulders among the male population, and knees and hips among the female population.
The three common reasons for injuries in athletes aie:
1. Lack of symmetry in the body, joint misalignments, and
muscle imbalances;
2. Lack of recovery time; and
3.Sport specialization.
1) The lack of symmetry, muscle imbalances, and joint misalignment create dysfunctional movements when the athlete is playing his or her sport. This puts cumulative dysfunction stress on the body that will eventually break the body down and an injury will occur.
These same dysfunctions also stress the body when athletes are working out. I see athletes trying to lift too much weight; you must have quality of movement first before you add quantity of weight. Far too often, I see injured athletes coming into my office hurt from their workouts. Either their bodies aie not moving properly and now there aie loading it under a lot of weight, or they ai e just performing the movement incorrectly. Dysfunction + Fitness = Injury.
To avoid injury, it is crucial for the athlete to undergo a medico/functional assessment to determine any underlying dysfunctions that are present. A corrective-based exercise program is then developed specific for that athlete’s dysfunctions. Once the athlete has been cleaned up, then the progression to performance-based training is the next step.
2) Another important factor in injury prevention is the lack of recovery between travel, workouts, playing, and practicing. Recovery is crucial in preventing injuries. Athletes need to be able to physically and mentally rest for recovery to occur. This prevents the musculoskeletal system from fatiguing and the nervous system from functioning in a sympathetic mode, which will hinder their performance.
Measurements that I use aie HRV readings. The heart rate variability (HRV) measures what state the nervous system is functioning in and allows me to make a smarter decision about the level of training or a rest day. The recovery modalities that I use when I am on the road and in the clinic aie manipulations, soft-tissue application, nutrition/supplementations, cryotherapy, hyperbaric chamber, and active movement sessions that incorporate yoga-like movements with a big emphasis on diaphragm/meditative breathing.
3) Sports specialization has shown an astronomical increase over the years with young athletes. As a result, injuries have also increased. Playing year-round with school and club teams in one sport is creating physical and mental burnout at a very young age. The volume
of playing and practicing with no time off feeds into the first two factors that I discussed. I won’t get into what I think the solutions aie, as that is pretty obvious.
TAC: Are the problems (injuries) changing, based on what was happening 20 years ago?
TVB: Statistics reveal that the injury rate of athletes has increased considerably even though we understand the body better than 20 years ago, and there aie a lot more treatment modalities as well. I am not sure there is a single correct answer on why this is happening. The athletes now, compared to 20 years ago, aie faster, stronger, and smarter, so you would assume the stress on their bodies is greater than 20 years ago.
When I speak around the country, I try to challenge my colleagues who want to get into the sports arena to become better rounded. What I mean by that is, as athletes aie getting smarter, they aie looking for chiropractors who aie on top of their game. They aie looking for someone who can assess them, collect the data, and apply the proper application through manipulation, soft-tissue modalities, rehab, training, and nutrition and recovery modalities.
I have been fortunate enough to be involved with athletes at the Olympics, NHL, MLB, PGA, and NBA. It seems the chiropractors who aie behind the scenes at these events aie very well versed in all aspects of injury care and performance. Unfortunately, the traditional chiropractic approach of manipulation only
is outdated. The athlete is looking for more. He or she is looking for career longevity and that competitive edge.
TAC: How do you see chiropractors fitting into an athlete’s staff of caregivers?
TVB: A very important answer to this question is that chiropractors have to be team players when it comes to professional, college, or high school teams. I can’t stress this enough. Chiropractors have a role on a team, and the ego needs to be checked at the door. Chiropractors aie there for the benefit of the players. Also, understand that the orthopedic or the ATC is the head of the team and you ai e a guest in their office, which is their training room. Unfortunately, I have seen too many instances where the chiropractor doesn’t understand his or her role, or the ego is so great that they are no longer are part of the team. Unfortunately, this has left a bad taste in the mouth of many orthos and ATCs.
TAC: Any tips for a chiropractor starting out?
TVB: First and foremost, be a great chiropractor. Secondly, continue to learn—don’t get complacent. There is so much great information and technology that can help.
You may contact Dr. Troy Van Biezen, DC, ART, BPE, at his e-mail [email protected].
Website: www.chirosportspecialists.com Twitter: @chirosporttvb @chirosportdfw
