FORT LAUDERDALE – As Jamaican athletes gear up for the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics slated for August 27 to September 4 in Deagu, South Korea, they’ll have one less thing to worry about, as team doctor and sports therapist, Dr. Michael Douglas will accompany them to ensure they are in top form to blaze the track.
Dr. Douglas, who has served the Jamaican Olympic Team’s doctor for some 18 years, has been to three Olympic Games — Atlanta (1996), Athens (2004) and Beijing (2008), as well as numerous World Championships games. Dr. Douglas has treated many of Jamaica’s beloved sports ambassadors including the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt and other Olympians such as Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell and Shelly-Ann Fraser.
According to Dr. Douglas, who is certified in Chiropractic Neurology, “Almost all the athletes have some form of injury; very few are at the games and are pain free. My job is to improve performance and to assess injuries.”
He said, “I examine the structure of their muscles and check to see how balanced they are. I also check the spine and rebalance it if needed.” The doctor says in addition to the physical, there is some psychology required when caring for these athletes. “There is quite a lot more that goes on [behind the scenes] than just massages; there is a whole psychological process.” He says it is his job to get the athletes relaxed before and after their performance. “Sometimes they get emotional after a disappointing performance and I am the one they see right after the event.” Dr. Douglas says he sometimes ends up encouraging and consoling them. “It’s a great privilege to be with these athletes,” said Dr. Douglas, whose love and admiration for Jamaica is evident.
Dr. Douglas, who practices at Douglas Chiropractic in Lauderhill, Miramar and Coral Springs in Florida, has for 26 years provided world class diagnosis and treatment for injuries, accidents and pain using unique and effective techniques, which include an aggressive combination of sports injury rehabilitation and traditional chiropractic care.
Win official 2011 Jamaica World Championship Team Gear
Since many of us are unable to make it to South Korea, Dr. Douglas is making sure that track fans can keep the Jamaican and other Caribbean teams close to their hearts with official team athletic wear, including team pins, shirts, warm-ups and bags. Simply log to douglaschiropractic.com or click on this link: http://www.douglaschiropractic.com/register-to-win.html and register to win!
Ever wonder what it is like to run under 10 seconds? Dr. Douglas will bring to South Korea a professional wearable GoPro HD camera with multiple features. It can be mounted on running athletes to give viewers a more realistic experience. Dr. Douglas will use this technology to record interesting footage from South Korea including treating athletes alongside his medical team and a sneak peek into the village. Check Douglaschiropractic.com, Twitter and Facebook for inside footage.
