About Bucks Sports Chiropractic
CAPTION: Local Sports Chiropractor Part of the NCAA Taekwondo Championships Medical Team
Bucks County resident Dr. Derek Gearhart, of Bucks Sports Chiropractic, was recently invited to be part of the medical team at the 2018 National Collegiate Taekwondo Association (NCTA) Championships, held at American University’s Bender Arena in Washington, DC.
Dr. Gearhart was part of a 10-person team consisting of orthopedists, sports chiropractors, sports physical therapists and certified athletic trainers who were ringside at the event to provide emergency medical care and injury evaluations. Dr. Gearhart was asked to join because of his 14+ years of expertise in Active Release Technique and Hawk Grips Therapy.
About 600 men and women, including representatives from Pennsylvania universities, competed in roughly 600 single-elimination matches. Dr. Gearhart evaluated injuries that could be sustained on the floor during a full-contact tae kwondo match, including concussions, abrasions, nose bleeds and other injuries. He performed chiropractic therapies to muscular injuries, provided chiropractic care and administered basic contact sport duties.
During the match, medical providers were asked by referees to evaluate the athlete within a 1-minute time frame to determine if the athlete was medically able to continue the match. Providers also had that same 1-minute time frame to stop nose bleeds, assess for potential bone breaks and determine if the athlete was coherent and able to participate following dangerous blows, such as a kick to the head. Dr. Gearhart had to stabilize a potentially concussed athlete who passed out in the middle of a match, falling onto her back.
“It was an honor to be part of the medical team for the NCAA Tae kwondo Association Championships,” said Dr. Gearhart. “Our clinicians had great teamwork in an integrated setting, and I believe our combined knowledge and experience in sports medicine served the athletes well.”
Pictured: Dr. Derek Gearhart (center), along with his medical colleagues from left to right Dr.
Sherri LaShomb (official USA Taekwondo chiropractor/ATC), Dr. Katie Barr, DPT, Dr. Kindra J. Ingram DC, Dr. Mindy Siegel, MD, and Dr. Jared Wilson, DC at the NCAA Taekwondo Championships.