Man Of Letters No Slouch at Sports

Clive Bridgham carries a lot of letters after his name, BS, BS, MA, DC, CCSP, DABSP, ICSSD. But don't think the chiropractic doctor is one to rest on his laurels.

The board-certified chiropractic sports physician is also a professional skier and a national-level alpine ski coach. His idea of a nice vacation is one in which he's either attending a chiropractic conference, an international sporting competition as a treating physician, or skiing, surfing, hiking or paragliding himself. 

Bridgham had no idea what awaited him professionally when he began working on his first degree in theater at Syracuse University before heading to Middlebury College in Vermont to earn a master's degree.

An avid athlete, he was having back pain while living in Aspen, Colo.,  and running a ski academy he founded. A friend recommended that he  visit a chiropractic physician.

That experience changed his mind about his plans to be an educator, coach,  and actor. Bridgham returned to school in Chicago where he earned a B.S. degree from the National University of Health Sciences and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree.

After finishing up his studies, Bridgham headed back to his home town of Barrington to visit his family. He grew up on New Meadow Road. He noticed a professional plaza across from the Barrington Town Hall that was in need of a tenant.

Six months later, the young doctor was the newest resident of the Barrington Professional and Medical Arts building at 282 County Road.

Since that opening in 1987, Bridgham has gone on to build a loyal following of patients who appreciate his expertise and dedication, from local athletes and weekend warriors to world-class elite-level athletes.

David Stanton, a patient from Providence, has been seeing Bridgham for periodic treatments since 2003 after suffering a back injury in car crash.

"He performs little miracles," said Stanton.

Being the only board-certified chiropractic sports physician in Rhode Island has enabled Bridgham to expand his interest in sports medicine. Over the years, he has served as a chiropractic sports physician for various sporting events, including the X-Games, the U.S. Snowboarding Open, and the World Surfing Games. He also worked in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the 2002 Winter Olympics as part of a group of chiropractic physicians treating athletes there.

One of the things Bridgham said he most enjoys about having his facility in Barrington is that the residents have an appreciation for the importance of healthful behaviors. As part of his practice, Bridgham also uses applied kinesiology, nutrition, and exercise to help patients with a wide range of symptoms.

"People here have an awareness of the necessity for exercise, good nutrition and proper biomechanical maintenance," he said. "So it's a wonderful community in which to be a physician."

The biggest benefit for Bridgham, though, is the response of his patients.

"People in acute and chronic pain respond incredibly well to chiropractic procedures," he said.

Which for Bridgham will keep him a big fan of those working vacations.