Inside Palmer’s growing sports rehabilitation program
As recreational and competitive sports draw more adults into their 60s, 70s, and beyond, the definition of “sports patient” is changing. At Palmer College of Chiropractic, that shift is shaping how students are trained, especially in sports rehabilitation, where today’s chiropractors must be prepared to care for active bodies across the lifespan. “At its core, sports rehab is about helping people move better, whether that’s an elite athlete or an 80-year-old who refuses to slow down,” says Associate Professor Trevor Shaw, D.C., M.S., DACRB, CSCS (`10), who leads the rehabilitation and sports performance division at the Palmer Clinic in Port Orange, Florida. Dr. Shaw, who joined the College’s faculty in 2017, brings a
background in strength and conditioning that has helped define the program’s direction. “A lot of doctors stop at pain relief,” he says. “We’re teaching students to bridge the gap between injury and athleticism. We’re helping patients get stronger, faster, and more resilient.” That approach is reflected in the clinic itself. The College’s
rehabilitation and sports performance space in Port Orange includes nearly 5,000 square feet of open training space, equipped with passive modalities like shockwave, decompression, ultrasound, cold laser, and e-stim, as well as Rogue racks, bumper plates, and sleds. “It’s designed to look like a strength and conditioning room, not a traditional physical therapy space,” Dr. Shaw explains. The curriculum has evolved alongside the facilities. “When I
was a student, things were very mechanical, and we learned to treat the site of pain,” he says. “Now we emphasize progressive overload and working the entire kinetic chain that is associated with the pain of dysfunction. You must do a little more each day to see real change.” Technology plays a role as well, with load-monitoring tools helping students track recovery and performance while learning to adjust plans in real time. These clinical skills are increasingly valuable. Golf is one of the most common activities bringing older adults into the clinic, while partnerships with institutions like Bethune-Cookman University expose students to a wide range of athletic demands. Students also co-manage care with other clinicians, reinforcing chiropractic’s role as a neuromusculoskeletal specialty. “The culture has shifted,” Dr. Shaw reflects. “Students aren’t just curious about rehab, they’re saying, ‘This is my specialty.’ When I was in school, we had a 10-by-10 room. Now they have thousands of square feet and a clear path forward.”
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Tips from the pros
Pickleball may be accessible, but it places real demands on the body. Dr. Trinkoff, Riley Newman, and Coach McKenzie share advice for amateur players looking to stay healthy and improve performance.
“Hydrate throughout the day — one half your bodyweight in ounces of water — and stretch, particularly after playing. Before pro players even step on the court, they’ve already been moving for at least an hour. If you skip hydration and stretching, you’re hurting yourself in the short and long term.”
—Paul Trinkoff, D.C. (`87)
“Listen to your body. Pain isn’t something to play through. If you’re hurting, there’s a reason — address it early. On the court, control your movement. The kitchen line isn’t a destination if you’re off balance.”
—Kyle McKenzie, head coach, Brooklyn Pickleball
“Take 10–15 minutes after play to cool down. It makes a big difference over time. As you practice, spend time on skills and drills before jumping into games. Balance matters.”
—Riley Newman, top professional pickleball player
SPRING 2026
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