Curtis Maynard, DC
National University of
Health Sciences graduate Curtis Maynard, DC ('81) has been the
chiropractic physician to the Arizona Cardinals NFL football team
since 1998. His chose a career as a DC after receiving chiropractic
care for a sports injury. The physician he worked with recommended
National as a great choice in chiropractic schools.
Dr. Maynard's ultimate goal as a DC student was to someday have
a sports medicine practice. After graduating and moving to Arizona,
he started treating golfers. Before long, top amateurs and
professional golfers began visiting his office. Today, it is not
uncommon to see professional golfers Jack Nicklaus, Billy
Mayfair or boxing legend Muhammad Ali in the waiting room.
When he started working
with the golf teams at Arizona State University, the University of
Oklahoma and Oregon State, soon the football, basketball, track,
wrestling and baseball coaches also started sending players to Dr.
Maynard.
"I treated the Arizona State University football team two to
three times per week and also at away games. Many college players
who moved on to the NFL would continue to consult with me during
their professional careers."
"When the Arizona Cardinals drafted Pat Tillman and Jake Plummer
from ASU, Pat and Jake recommended me to the Cardinals, since the
team did not have a chiropractic physician at the time. The team
interviewed several chiropractors, but Pat Tillman jokingly bragged
he had demanded the Cardinals hire me. He'd say: 'Dr. Maynard,
you wouldn't have this job without me and I want my cut.'"
(Tillman later turned down his million-dollar salary with the
Cardinals, joined the Army Rangers and became a war
hero.)
Dr. Maynard describes what
it's like working as the team DC: "Football in the NFL is a fast
violent game played by spectacular athletes. The speed, strength,
agility and intensity that these players possess lead to
incredible collisions. The injuries range from mild sprains and
strains to fractures and dislocations. It is not uncommon to
manipulate ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists and
fingers along with all areas of the spine. The wear and tear on the
players increases as the season progresses."
"On the sidelines during a game, I am routinely consulted by the
entire medical and training staff for my opinion on an injured
player, and join them in evaluating all injured players after the
game."
Dr. Maynard feels that having DCs in the NFL has advanced
respect and acceptance for the profession. "Several
orthopedists, neurologists and internists have asked
me how to start a working relationship with a chiropractor. I
have tremendous rapport with all the health care professionals and
trainers associated with the Cardinals. We all work closely
together with one goal in mind: to keep the players healthy. "
Dr. Maynard credits his
education from NUHS for his successful sports medicine career. He
says, "National taught me how to interact with medical physicians.
This is essential for being a team chiropractor. I integrate my
practice daily with orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, family
medicine physicians and physical therapists."
"I am proud of the education I received. In the past two years I
have had over 150 referrals to my office from medical
physicians. I believe this is directly due to the
education I received at National," he says.
Dr. Maynard's story shows how an education based in integrative
medicine is an important key to success in chiropractic sports
medicine, and how chiropractic physicians are gaining respect as
integrative medical professionals serving professional sports
teams.
