Olympians soar with aid of chiropractic care By Dr. Peter Joffe, D.C. Are you an athlete looking for that edge over you competition? Or are you playing the game called life looking to maximize your full potential? If one or both are the case, you can look to some of the competitors at this year's Beijing Olympics for some inspiration. DaraTorres is the first swimmer from the United States to compete in five Olympics: 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000, and 2008. She competed in the Beijing Olympic Games in the 50-meter freestyle, 4×100 medley relay, and 4×100 freestyle relay and won the silver medal in all three of these events.At age 41, she is the first woman in history to swim in the Olympics past the age of 40. Swimming against competitors more than half her age,Torres looks for help to give her an advantage.Torres has stated that she finds quick relief from chiropractors when she needs a quick fix and doesn't have time to rehab. Jeff Hartwig, 40, is the oldest member of the 2008 Olympic U.S. track and field team, competing in the pole vaulting event and the oldest ever to qualify for it. Just shy of his 41st birthday,Hartwig is one of the three U.S.pole vault athletes competing in Beijing. He vaulted 18 feet 8 inches to become the oldest American to qualify for the Olympic team in his event.At 41,how is Hartwig so in shape and Olympic ready? Hartwig attributes it to regular adjustments from his chiropractor. Hartwig has stated that chiropractic care is a better option than simply using conventional medicine because his injuries heal faster and his whole body feels better. He attributes chiropractic care to his being able to train at such an intense level. Chiropractors have been invited to treat Olympians as team chiropractors since 1976.This year in China many countries have official team chiropractors supporting their athletes, and many more will use chiropractic outside of their team medical group.Athletes rely on chiropractic for two primary reasons; functional optimization and recovery from injury. Many elite athletes have attributed regular chiropractic care to their success. Golf greatTiger Woods is an example of what the benefits of chiropractic care can offer an athlete.Tiger Woods has stated that lifting weights and seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis has made me a better golfer, and that chiropractic care is as important as practicing his swing. Others chiropractic athletes include Lance Armstrong, Emmitt Smith,Terrell Owens, Joe Montana,Arnold Schwarzenegger and Muhammad Ali. Would you like to have your name on this list? Chiropractic optimizes function of joints and muscles by removing restrictions that may limit range of motion or reduce neurological conduction. For the Olympian who is looking for that extra hundredth of a second, having fullest range of motion and clarity of nerve signals is not just nice, it's essential. Chiropractic enables the body to do what it needs to do at its best,whether it is healing itself, kicking a ball, sprinting through a finish line,or sticking that landing. These athletes are in peak condition and are just looking for that extra bit that they can get out of their body. Imagine what chiropractic can do for someone who has a whole lot more blocking their body from functioning. Imagine what benefit you could see from a visit to your chiropractor. Don't spend the whole month on your couch just watching the athletes perform. Get out there and do something, for your body's sake. Dr.Peter Joffe is owner of Joffe Family Chiropractic. His office is located at 61 Pease Road in Manalapan.Dr. Joffe will be giving a seminar, "Living Right: Getting Better Faster and Staying Healthier Longer"at his office on Sept.9 at 7 p.m. Seating is limited.To register, call 732-536-9191. www.JoffeChiropractic. com.