Last August I had the enormous privilege of joining the international sports chiropractic team at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu, China. It was an unforgettable experience, personally and professionally, and it gave me new insight and new techniques that I have brought straight back to my patients at Johnston Chiropractie in Capelle aan den IJssel, just outside Rotterdam.
Treating Athletes at World Level
Across the Games I worked with athletes competing in disc golf, canoe marathon, dragon boat racing, parkour, aerobic gymnastics and cheerleading. Every one of those sports asks for its own blend of strength, flexibility, endurance and precision. It was inspiring to give care that helped athletes recover faster, avoid injury and perform at their best.
A few moments stood out:
Watching the fireworks at the opening ceremony, which set the tone for everything that followed.
Laughing my way through a few parkour moves with my colleagues.
Seeing cheerleading make its debut at The World Games, which meant a great deal to me as a former cheerleader.
Treating the Australian cheerleading pair before their final. They took bronze, and they were delighted with how chiropractic had helped them prepare.
Treating canoe marathon medallists before their races. Afterwards they told me how much better and steadier they felt in the boat, and then they went on to reach the podium.
Meeting and treating so many Dutch athletes across different sports. Supporting competitors from my own country on an international stage was a real privilege.
What This Means for My Patients in Capelle aan den IJssel and Rotterdam
Working with elite athletes proved all over again how powerful sports chiropractic can be. Whether the goal was more mobility, pain relief or quicker recovery, the benefits were plain to see. For many of the athletes, coaches and volunteers it was their first experience of chiropractic at all, and their reactions were priceless: surprise at how quickly their bodies responded, relief after months of discomfort, and real delight at moving freely again.
None of this applies only to elite sport. The techniques and the approach I refined in Chengdu are the ones I use in my own practice now. Whether you are training for a marathon, playing recreational sport somewhere in Rotterdam, or you simply want to move better and live without pain, chiropractic can help.
Bringing Global Experience Home
What stayed with me most in Chengdu was the mix of science, technique and human contact. Chiropractic is not only about adjustments. It is about listening, understanding how a body works, and shaping care around what each person actually needs. At The World Games I watched that approach give athletes the confidence to step onto the field. Back in Capelle aan den IJssel at Johnston Chiropractie, my aim is to give every patient that same level of care and attention.
At Johnston Chiropractie I am passionate about helping people move better, recover faster and perform at their best, whether that means competing at a world tournament or simply enjoying a day without pain.
Looking for a sports chiropractor in Capelle aan den IJssel or the Rotterdam area? Book online at www.johnstonchiropractie.nl or call 06 58016708.