Jerry Rice Gives Chiropractic an Enthusiastic Reception

By Dr. Molly Casey

Injuries are a common introduction to chiropractic, but there are also those who have access to the best care possible who choose chiropractic to prevent an injury from occurring in the first place. Professional athletes fit into this group. They have access to immediate care beyond even what the rich and famous have. Many athletes choose chiropractic care as a health promoter and lifestyle cornerstone even after they’ve healed from an initial injury that introduced them to chiropractic. This is the case with Jerry Rice, one of the great receivers in NFL history.

Jerry Rice and his Career

Rice played 20 seasons in the NFL, most of it with the San Francisco 49ers, where he and quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young carved out Hall of Fame careers. Rice was introduced to chiropractic because of an injury. He says now that “chiropractic was the key to keeping me in the game,” and he went on to play 303 games -- the most for any player other than a punter or kicker. The level of impact in football is arguably one of the toughest on the human body. And the level of adaptability required by the body is extraordinary.

Durability is the ability to withstand wear, pressure or damage. Football requires a significant amount of durability to play not only a game or season, but a career. Rice states that chiropractic care contributed to his level of durability throughout his two decades in the NFL, but also while participating on “Dancing with the Stars,” which was also rigorous and demanding.

Leading an Active Lifestyle

“Chiropractic helps me lead a very active lifestyle,” Rice says. “It works for me better than anything else.” He has shared this commitment to chiropractic with his family, friends, and colleagues. Rice, in his own words, has clearly implemented chiropractic into a normal part of his health, life and career.

I find it interesting that our society puts so much emphasis on what celebrities and professional athletes do in their work, life and basically all of their existence. Our society is obsessed with the way these folks live their lives. Many want to dress like them, be like them. A whole advertising campaign was built around “Be like Mike.” My question is this: Why not mimic a behavior such as this? A healthy one. One that supports the overall well-being and function of your entire existence. One that doctors at The Joint Chiropractic are committed to giving you at affordable prices and convenient hours? It’s good enough for, arguably, the greatest, most durable wide receiver in NFL history, isn’t it good enough for the rest of us?

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