From long days traveling between cities to coping with everyday life in a foreign language, life on the road isn't exactly glamorous or easy. Still, athletes, coaches, and support staff from around the world will spend the next four to five months traveling the world in the spirit of the sport.
“Working and traveling with Team USA has been one of the most unique experiences. experiences of my career so far,” says Freya, ”and truly one of the most rewarding.
While working on a tour is far from a vacation, it offers new opportunities to enjoy the profession in a completely different way. Freya Moran, sports chiropractor at American Chiropractic Haus in Munich, Germany, shares her experience.
“This was my second season with Skeleton, and it's only gotten more exciting. We are in a pre-Olympic year, which means the stakes are getting higher and the level of sport is correspondingly high. The athletes are feeling the growing intensity and it shows in their discipline. The sacrifices they make to become really good at this sport are inspiring.
How did you get into this sport? Did you do skeleton as a child?
Freya: Not at all! I did luge for a season when I was 10 years old, but my first experience with sliding in this capacity was during my time at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid in 2023. It was an immediate fit, and there's a lot of overlap with Track & Field.
How long does this tour last?
Freya: This time it's about 3 weeks, during which I'm traveling between Germany and Norway.
And you work on them every day?
Freya: I do whatever they need. I might be on the side of the track doing first aid, or stretching on the sidelines, or putting bandages on. I might be doing exercises or mobility drills with them, or I might be in the gym when they're training. I step in as an extra camera when filming is needed and help with meal planning. There aren't many dull moments.
Did you have any favorite moments?
Freya: I have some very memorable moments from this season. I love being at the team meetings and watching film in the evenings. The track walks are also interesting. But watching the athletes develop from their first time on a particular course to mastering the course on race day is the highlight of the season for everyone. They really are the hardest-working people and I think very highly of them. It's an honor to be part of the team in this capacity.
How does a chiropractor fit into the team?
Honestly, working on the sports medicine team is more than just chiropractic. I get to use my knowledge of injury rehabilitation, use my knowledge of nutrition... there's so much more to do than what happens on the treatment table. I think it's also important for the athletes to have that safety net. They have the added benefit of knowing that they will be taken care of no matter what happens and no matter how far away from home they are. I think that's a big relief psychologically.
“Working on my body allows me to relax my mind, which is the biggest strength in this sport,” says Nicholas Tucker. “Having access to sports medicine at this level of competition is everything. It allows us to reset ourselves every day and perform at our best during competition week.”
When asked what advice he would give to other athletes, Nicholas emphasizes the importance of building trust between yourself and your provider. “Be completely honest and transparent and trust your providers. It took me 1.5 years to open up and I wish it hadn't taken me that long.”
Coach Alexander Ivanov says of a chiropractor for sports medicine during the tour, “It's a tremendous resource that's hard to come by. Athletes often get injured on tour, and access to medical care is essential for consistent performance.”
Did you have access to sports medicine when you were still racing?
Ivanov: Only at the World Cup, but on all the other tracks we were on our own.
What was special about this tour?
Ivanov: The team dynamic was really good. Everyone was focused. And everyone made the best use of their resources. Hopefully, that will lead to good results. The fact that Freya is on the tour has brought things that I haven't seen before, like pre-treatment measures that keep the athletes in line longer and prepare them for medical treatment. She has really contributed to how we keep the performance together. She also helps with teamwork, and that's very important - when you have someone to do the little tasks, everything runs much more smoothly.
The European Skeleton Championships conclude in Winterberg, Germany at the end of November and then head to Norway before taking a well-deserved Christmas break. Freya will return to practice on December 11.
Curious about this exciting sport? Find more information at ibsf.org .
About Chiropractic
The sports chiropractor does more than just crack your back. They are an expert in prescribing exercises, rehabilitating injuries and preparing the body for elite sports. From cognitive preparation to physical recovery, this type of professional must master skills that can only be acquired through years of experience.
Ready to book a sports chiropractor for your competition or tour? Inquire by email to speak with one of our qualified specialists.
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