Tuesday, July 9, 1996

Abilene chiropractor invited to practice at the Olympics

By TED DUNNAM
Assistant Sports Editor

When seeking out a quality chiropractor, you want to make sure he has a good "back-hand".

Scott Wofford, a chiropractor at the West Texas Back Clinic, obviously falls into that category. He'll be one of the honored few that will work the 1996 Olympics as chiropractors make their debut at the world's largest sports spectacle.

The Hawley native and Abilene Christian University graduate will administer sports treatments to athletes in the track and field portion of the Olympics.

"I'm thrilled to be going. I thought they were kidding when they first asked me," Wofford said. "The reason that this is the first time that chiropractors will be at the Olympics is that the athletes demanded it."

Wofford's wealth of experience at treating athletes was the main reason he was contacted about the opportunity.

"In the past, I've treated Louise Ritter, Bert Cameroon, Linda Cameroon, Billy Olson and several Dallas Cowboys' players such as Danny Nooonan, Brian Baldinger and Crawford Kerr," Wofford said. "Plus, I treat a lot of Abilene Christian's and Hardin-Simmons' athletes and quite a few Cooper football players."

Wofford said he jumped at the opportunity to work at the Olympics when he was contacted by Dr. David Bradley, who was recruiting the chiropractors.

"I trained under Joe Guarnerra, who was the Texas Rangers' chiropractor. From that, I gained a lot of experience treating athletes. Dr. Bradley knew I had worked with a lot of athletes and that's why he contacted me. I've been in Abilene since 1989 and we treat around 1,500 to 1,600 patients a month," Wofford said.

Although he's excited about his opportunity, Wofford doesn't know exactly what he'll be doing.

"There are a lot of unknowns about it," he said. "We'll probably find out exactly what we're doing when we get there. It's kind of a pain not knowing exactly what you'll be doing, but I guess it'll work out for the best."

Obviously, Wofford assumes he'll be performing the same services he provides in Abilene.

"We do our own therapies, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation and electrotherapy," he said. "In track and field, most of your injuries are low back injuries, musculoskeletal-type injuries. Football-related injuries that we treat usually involve a lot of trauma, but I would say 90 percent of the track injuries involve the lower back."

Wofford won't be getting paid for his services, but he doesn't mind.

"It's a service-type thing. I'm for anything to promote chiropractic services. Traditionally, medical doctors and chiropractors haven't gotten along. But so much research has been done to show that chiropractic treatments are very acceptable. The medical community here has really been very supportive in Abilene, and I'm thankful for that."

Wofford will work from the opening day through the first week of the Olympics. Dr. David Randell, another Abilenian, will work the second week in Atlanta.

Wofford said he couldn't be more pleased with being able to work the track and field portion of the Olympics.

"That's always been my favorite. I've just always been fascinated by track and field," he said. "There was a rumor that we might be providing services for the Dream Team, but those guys have their own personal trainers. They're definitely not going to let a stranger touch them.

"It'll be nice seeing Michael Johnson and Carl Lewis in his last Olympics. It's hard to beat free passes to the Olympics. It's also going to be a great honor to treat all these great athletes from countries all over the world. I'm really looking forward to it."