When an injury pulls you out of training, a sports chiropractor at Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation of NY & CT (PMR) can help you understand what’s wrong and plan a safe way back. PMR’s sports medicine care brings chiropractic, physical therapy, massage and strength work together, with on-site gym facilities and trainers, so rehab and training happen in one place. Care is available at two offices in Danbury, CT and Brewster, NY.
What a sports chiropractor does at PMR
A sports chiropractor is a doctor of chiropractic who focuses on injuries from training and competition and on the movement problems behind them. At PMR, care includes:
- a sports-specific evaluation of how the injury happened, your training load, and your strength, flexibility, joint motion and movements such as squatting, landing or throwing
- hands-on treatment, including adjustments, joint mobilization and soft-tissue work
- physical therapy, massage or other services when they’ll help
- clear return-to-play steps instead of guesswork
Sports medicine at PMR is non-surgical. If your exam suggests a fracture, a complete tear or another problem that needs a physician or surgeon, we’ll refer you promptly.
Meet PMR’s sports-focused chiropractors
Dr. Paul Ciatto, DC, at the Brewster office, has a special interest in the rehabilitation and strength training of athletes. He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic at the University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic and completed a residency at the Park City Hospital emergency room in Bridgeport, CT.
Dr. Chris Shay, DC, who sees patients in Brewster, NY, focuses on the evaluation and treatment of sports-related injuries and on physical fitness. A graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, he takes a whole-person approach that looks for the underlying cause of an injury, not just the sore spot.
What your sports medicine plan can include
- chiropractic care for spinal and joint problems that change how you move
- physical therapy to rebuild strength, control and endurance
- medical massage for muscle tension during recovery and heavy training
- shockwave therapy, which may help some long-standing tendon problems, offered in Danbury and Brewster
- strength and conditioning in the on-site gym with PMR’s trainers
- return-to-play progressions that test your readiness before you go back
Return to sport, step by step
Going back before an injured area is ready is a common reason injuries recur. PMR uses goals, not just the calendar, to guide your return to sport:
- Settle it down. Reduce pain and swelling, protect the injured area and keep the rest of your body training where it’s safe.
- Restore motion and strength. Rebuild range of motion and strength until the injured side compares well with the other.
- Retrain your sport. Progress to sport-specific work such as cutting, jumping, sprinting, throwing or lifting technique.
- Return with a plan. Ease back into practice and competition, with a maintenance program to help lower the risk of re-injury.
Each stage moves forward when you meet its goals. That’s why timelines differ from one athlete to the next.
Who we work with
PMR’s sports injury rehab and athletic performance training serve:
- high school and college athletes
- adult competitors and masters athletes
- runners, cyclists and triathletes
- lifters, martial artists and functional fitness athletes
- weekend warriors and active adults getting back into exercise
The same approach can help people of all ages with work strains and hobby-related aches, even from knitting. For more on specific problems, see our sports injuries page.
When to get urgent care
Some sports injuries need emergency care before rehab. Call 911 or get to the ER for:
- a head injury with confusion, repeated vomiting, a worsening headache or loss of consciousness
- an obvious deformity, a bone through the skin or a joint that looks out of place
- inability to bear weight or move the injured limb
- chest pain, fainting or unusual breathlessness while exercising
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to stop training while I’m injured?
Usually not completely, since total rest is rarely the goal. Your chiropractor will help you change what you do, for example swapping running for cycling or training around the injured area, so you keep your fitness while it recovers. Some injuries do need a short break from loading. You’ll get clear guidance on what’s safe, what to avoid and when to progress.
Can I see a sports chiropractor if I’m not injured?
Yes. Some athletes come in for a movement assessment to find stiffness, weakness or imbalances before they lead to injury, or to build a strength program with PMR’s trainers. Your chiropractor can look at how you move in your sport and suggest targeted exercises. Insurance generally covers care for an injury or medical condition, so ask about costs for performance-only sessions before you book.
Do you treat high school athletes?
Yes. PMR treats patients of all ages, from young athletes to seniors. Patients under 18 need a parent or guardian’s consent for care, and parents are welcome at visits. Bring your athlete’s practice and game schedule and any forms from the school or team, so the plan can fit around the season.
Is a sports chiropractor the same as a sports medicine doctor?
Not quite. A sports medicine physician is an MD or DO who can prescribe medication and perform procedures. A sports chiropractor is a doctor of chiropractic who focuses on hands-on care, movement and rehab for muscle and joint injuries. At PMR, sports-focused chiropractors work alongside physical therapists, massage therapists and trainers, and refer to physicians when an injury needs medical or surgical care.
Book a sports medicine visit
Call the office closest to your home, school or gym, or request an appointment online. You can also browse all of PMR’s treatment services.
- (845) 279-1135 for PMR of Brewster, NY, home to Dr. Ciatto and Dr. Shay
- (203) 744-8013 for PMR of Danbury, CT, with Dr. Tilden and Dr. Delgiorno