Does Your Doctor Even Lift?
When I first started seeing patients in a CrossFit gym in 2012, I noticed a common theme. Many athletes came to me frustrated after being told by other providers to simply "stop doing ________" in response to their pain. Whether it was running, tennis, or CrossFit, the advice was the same—avoid the activity.
This lazy approach didn’t sit well with me. It was clear that many traditional healthcare practitioners didn’t understand the athlete’s mindset. I started jokingly asking my patients: "Well, does your doctor even lift?"
A Better Approach to Chiropractic Care
This tongue-in-cheek question became a way to shift perspectives. Rather than avoiding activities that cause pain, we ask better questions: What is the biomechanical or neurological cause of this pain, and how can we fix it?
This is the foundation of sports chiropractic care—focusing on root cause analysis rather than simply avoiding discomfort. Athletes don’t want to stop moving; they want solutions that help them perform better and stay pain-free.
From Patient to Sports Chiropractor
I understand this firsthand. In my 20s, I began experiencing lower back pain. By 25, I had an L5-S1 lumbar disc herniation with debilitating sciatica. Despite my background in athletic training and access to doctors and physical therapists, I struggled to find answers. One doctor even told me I’d "have a bad back" for life and should never lift heavy again.
That wasn’t acceptable to me.
This experience led me to chiropractic college, determined to heal myself and provide better solutions for others. Now, nearly 20 years later, I’ve been pain-free for 15 years—not by avoiding movement, but by optimizing it. I recently competed in my 5th powerlifting competition, setting a personal best deadlift of 468 lbs.
(No, deadlifts are NOT bad for your back.)
Why Athletes Trust Sports Chiropractic Care
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or looking to optimize performance, a sports chiropractor can help you move better, recover faster, and train smarter.
I specialize in sports chiropractic care, functional movement assessments, and rehabilitation strategies that address the root cause of pain—so you can get back to doing what you love, stronger than ever.
Ready to Move Pain-Free & Perform at Your Best?
If you’re tired of being told to stop doing what you love and want real solutions, let’s work together. Book an appointment today and take the first step toward better movement, better performance, and a pain-free future.
Let’s find a way to BE Better.
Scott Mills, DC, MS, ATC-r
Located in Petaluma – Serving athletes, weekend warriors, and active individuals looking for expert chiropractic care.
