How chiropractic care has helped ‘fastest man in the world’
Usain Bolt has been declared the โfastest man in the world.โ While this hasnโt always been technically true, he has won so consistently at the 100 meter distance throughout his career that the nickname โlightning boltโ seems like a pretty good fit. He has won six Olympic gold medals, never placing for silver or bronze. In other world championships, he has collected eight first-place wins and two second-place finishes. During his time competing in youth championships, he regularly took first place, rarely second, and never third.
For the tiny island nation of Jamaica, Usain Bolt is a hero. Heโs confident. โI told you all I was going to be No. 1, and I did just that.โ While heโs a supremely confident competitor, heโs also humble and cordial.
โManners is the key thing,โ said Bolt. โSay, for instance, when youโre growing up, youโre walking down the street, youโve got to tell everybody good morning. Everybody. You canโt pass one person.โ
But his success on the track and his international stardom has not come without challenges. As a young man, Bolt suffered from scoliosis.
โWhen I was younger, the scoliosis wasnโt really a problem. But you grow and it gets worse. My spine was really curved bad. The early part of my career, when we didnโt really know much about it, it really hampered me because I got injured every year.โ
Instead of using a brace or enduring dangerous surgery to correct the abnormal curvature of his spine, Usain Bolt used chiropractic treatments. โIโve worked hard over the years. Iโve been injured and Iโve worked hard through it, and Iโve made it.โ Bolt uses chiropractic not only to bounce back more quickly from injuries, but also to enhance his performance while healthy. โAs long as Iโm in great shape, nobody beats me, for sure.โ
Dr. Michael Douglas has worked with Bolt for many years. As founder of three South Florida Douglas Rapid Rehab Centers, he is also the Jamaican Olympic Teamโs official chiropractor. He has held that position since 1996 and retains a certificate in Chiropractic Neurology. He combines traditional chiropractic techniques with sports injury rehabilitation to keep the Jamaican team in top condition.
Like all world champions, Usain Bolt realizes that his work is never done. โFor me, Iโm focused on what I want to do. I know what I need to do to be a champion, so Iโm working on it.โ For Usain Bolt, chiropractic care has beenโand continues to beโan essential part of his overall strategy for remaining healthy and competing successfully.
— By Aaron Martin, DC
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