Bridgham has Olympic experience

Amateur athlete Clive Bridgham maintains his sports medicine chiropractic practice in Barrington. / COURTESY CLIVE BRIDGHAM
Amateur athlete Clive Bridgham maintains his sports medicine chiropractic practice in Barrington. / COURTESY CLIVE BRIDGHAM

Dr. Clive W. Bridgham, a chiropractic sports-medicine specialist and director of the Barrington Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Clinic in Barrington, was one of 17 chiropractors from eight countries chosen by the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee to serve in the Olympic Polyclinic, open to all athletes, coaches and officials.

How did your experience in Rio differ from your expectations prior to arrival?

The sheer density of people in Rio is amazing, yet everyone was friendly and helpful. Whether I was out at 6 a.m. or 2 a.m., I never felt unsafe. I only saw one mosquito. Caipirinhas taste better in Brazil. 

What was it like to collaborate with doctors from around the world?

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It was a true athlete-centered experience, where all of the doctors checked their egos at the door. These are some of the finest clinicians in the world, chosen to work in the polyclinic. We would team up to provide the athlete with the finest, state-of-the-art treatments available and pool our talents.

How do you keep cool under the pressure of treating the world’s greatest athletes, whose bodies are the tools of their trades?

Fortunately, I have many years of experience treating world-class athletes, which helps. However it is still humbling to be given this opportunity where the athlete trusts you, especially as a chiropractic sports physician. It also helped to know that I was part of a world-class team and we would discuss treatment options as needed, as well as the availability of MRI and digital X-ray. 

Do any occurrences in the polyclinic stand out to you?

Getting to know so many wonderful people, both athletes and clinicians. Being a part of a true athlete/patient-centered facility. Treating an athlete who, in their first Olympics, was seventh-best in the world in their event, and having them ask me to go with them and treat them during their semifinal and final competitions.

If you could repeat your experience in Rio, what would you do differently?

Create the time to learn more from the other clinicians. Create the time to go to more athletic events. I wish I had more time to visit the cultural treasures of Rio. •

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