C OL L E G E O F C H I RO PRA CT IC
Josh Akin, DC: Leading a “Pro”-Active Career Chicago chiropractor treats professional athletes while operating a two-location practice. Dr. Akin is the founder and clinic director of Chicago Chiropractic & Sports Medicine and serves as the team chiropractor for two of the Windy City’s top sports teams: the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. One might wonder how he got from Logan’s campus to Soldier Field and Wrigley Field. He credits a few fortunate opportunities that he has been able to build upon since his graduation. Dr. Akin grew up as a chiropractic patient. He suffered a hip injury when he was 10 years old and received chiropractic care from his neighbor, Logan alumnus Nick Gatto, DC. After graduating from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in chemistry more than a decade later, Dr. Akin was encouraged by Dr. Gatto to attend Logan’s chiropractic program. At a campus visit prior to enrolling at Logan, Dr. Gatto introduced Dr. Akin to Logan Professor Ralph Filson, DC, who served as a team chiropractor for the St. Louis Cardinals. As a student, Dr. Akin worked with Dr. Filson on a research project in which he was exposed to the application of manual treatment and its effect on athletic performance. This interest would eventually lead him to the world of competitive sports. After graduating from Logan in December 2006, Dr. Akin worked for three years as an associate doctor before establishing Chicago Chiropractic & Sports Medicine. Today, his practice includes a multidisciplinary clinic and personal training gym in Northfield, Ill., and a performance training center in the West Loop of Chicago.
His work with professional athletes started in 2007. “I was introduced to a long-standing player for the Bears whom I began working with in private clinic,” he explained. “The following year, the player was instrumental in getting me involved with the team.” For the past eight seasons, Dr. Akin has served as the team chiropractor for the Chicago Bears, treating the players at the team’s facility during the week while attending all games to provide pre-game and sideline care. He also serves as chiropractor for the Chicago Cubs and has provided treatment during spring training and home games for the past six seasons. Dr. Akin says there are just a few differences between working with football and baseball players and working with private-clinic patients. While the mechanics of the body are similar, the obvious difference is the size of the pro athlete patients. He says the differentiating experiences, as well as the variety of being on the sidelines at games and in a treatment room at his practice, are what he enjoys the most. “Private practice tends to be more painfocused, particularly in the initial phase of treatment, always with the goal of attaining stability and progressing to the performance phase for the athlete,” he said. “With the sports teams, I am able to provide a reactionary level of treatment to any injuries that may occur, and also a global proactive approach of eliminating injuries before they occur.”
“With the sports teams, I am able to provide a reactionary level of treatment to any injuries that may occur, and also a global proactive approach of eliminating injuries before they occur.” –Dr. Josh Akin
12 SPRING 2016