Sports fan finds a home in master’s program

Posted on January 12, 2012September 14, 2016 by admin

After running a biology lab at the University of Oregon while completing his Bachelor’s degree in general science, Bradley Capp applied for a research scholarship at the University of Western States. Though he was contemplating attending a physical therapy school, he took a deeper look atUWS.

The freedom and range of the chiropractic career appealed to Capp, and he applied. As a chiropractic student and sports fan, he enrolled in the Masters in Sports and Exercise Science program.

“If you enjoy what you do, it makes it much easier,” he said. Capp especially enjoyed the opportunities within the Masters program to apply his skills.

With the Master’s program, Capp is looking forward to earning his Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP), Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP), and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS).

Capp graduated this past quarter as valedictorian. He plans to seek an associateship in and work with athletes, though he said his experience in the Masters program prepares him to perform as a practitioner for all patients.

Craig Kawaoka, DC, serves as U.S. team physician at World Weightlifting Championship in Paris

Posted on December 1, 2011October 27, 2023 by admin

Dr. Craig Kawaoka, the clinical director of the Master’s in Exercise and Sports Science program served as the team physician at the World Weightlifting Championship in Paris at EuroDisney.

The event, from November 5th through the 13th, was an Olympic Qualifying Event. This is Dr. Kawaoka’s second Sr. World Championships where he has served as team physician. In 2009, he served as the physician for the 2009 World Championships in Goyang, Korea.

Dr. Kawaoka said his role was primarily to treat athletes who are competing at the highest level. He tended to acute and/or chronic injuries and helped prepare athletes for competition. The United States team consisted of 14 members.

Future chiropractor advocates for performing artists

Posted on November 18, 2011September 14, 2016 by admin

A passion and degree in dance turned Montserrat Andreys’ goal of a chiropractic practice into a unique calling.

Andreys worked as a massage therapist for ten years, owned her own practice and even held a faculty position with a massage therapy school. Still, she wanted to do something more. After closing down her business, she pursued a degree in dance in Albuquerque, New Mexico, while she was completing prerequisites for chiropractic college.

A former colleague and then-student at the University of Western States recommended Andreys look into the Portland campus.

“The students right away told me the academics were strong and the faculty was open and friendly,” she said. “They said I’d have to work really hard but I’d get a lot out of that. After my undergrad education, I was bowled over by the quality of the professors and the fact that they were all amazing. That made me feel confident about my decision.”

She now serves as the ASB president as well as a UWS ambassador and mentor. A former member of a Middle Eastern Dance Company and Flamenco Dance Company, her passion led her desire to move to New York to treat dancers and performing artists exclusively.

“A lot of chiropractors treat competitive athletes, but some people forget that because an activity is artistic, it is any less physical,” Andreys said.

Sports Science Master’s students assist at “Race the Reaper”

Posted on October 14, 2011September 17, 2024 by admin

In the inaugural Race the Reaper event on October 1-2, 2011, to benefit Oregon Mission of Mercy, ten University of Western States students in the Master’s of Sports and Exercise Science program helped Pro Active Physical Therapy and WMI Corp treat some of the approximately 900 registered participants.

The five-mile adventure race consisted of eighteen obstacles, 1,000 feet elevation change, and three bodies of water.

Approximately 50 to 60 participants with everything from sprains, blisters, cuts, scrapes and more severe injuries came to the Pro Active and WMI Corp medical tent at the finish line within the two days of the event. UWS students and medical professionals were also stationed at the obstacles along the course to assist with any incidents.

“It was a great opportunity for us as students to learn more about how venues are managed at these types of events, as well as all of the planning and preparation,” Karlie Steiner-Bailey, a master’s student, said. “It was also a good opportunity for us to hone our first aid skills and become more familiar with emergency procedure protocols. All in all, it was a great event with an excellent turn out!”

Exercise & Sports Science program assists at the 2011 Dew Tour

Posted on September 29, 2011September 14, 2016 by admin

The Rose Garden roared to life for the 7^thAnnual Dew Tour on August 11 to 13 in which skateboarders and BMX riders converged. Two faculty members and two UWS students were on site to help with first aid and medical evaluation.

Dr. Craig Kawaoka, the Clinical Director of the Masters in Exercise and Sports Science Program and Dr. Jun Kawaguchi, the Clinical Supervising Physician of the Masters in Exercise & Sports Science Program, along with MS students David Martin and Karlie Steiner-Bailey, attended the Dew Tour to assist first responders and treat the athletes.

Dr. Kawaguchi said he spent a lot of time observing the other chiropractors on site and how they operated. “I was impressed by their rehearsing with an athlete on the floor after head trauma. They would do scenarios so they were ready for the actual situations.”

Dr. Kawaguchi lent a hand as well, performing several adjustments, taping ankle sprains and evaluating potential fractures of some BMX riders who had collided.

David Martin, in his 11^th quarter, said he would love to work with the Dew Tour and the medical staff from WMW Corporation again.

“I was able to meet many healthcare providers from around the country and I was impressed with their efficiency and the level of respect that they showed to each person’s profession,” Martin said. “Everyone conducted themselves in a professional manner and provided quality healthcare to all the athletes at the Dew Tour. I was truly impressed with the caliber of the WMI Corporation Medical Staff that were working this event.”

Approximately 500 treated at Seaside Volleyball Tournament

Posted on September 16, 2011September 14, 2016 by admin

More than twenty students volunteered their time at the three-day Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament on August 12 – 14. For the past twenty-nine years, this has been the largest amateur beach volleyball competition in the United States and is viewed by more than 10,000 people each day.

Two UWS Massage Therapy students and twenty Masters in Exercise and Sports Science students were part of the sports medical staff that treated approximately 500 patients for conditions such as chronic issues, rolled ankles, sprained ankles, cuts, general first aid and heat exhaustion.

Eleventh quarter master’s student Bradley Capp said, “We got a lot of experience with athletic taping, which they teach us about but we don’t get a ton of exposure to. It’s busy, and you get to see a lot of people.”

Jun Kawaguchi, the Clinical Supervising Physician of the Masters in Exercise & Sports Science Program, said that for students, this is a beneficial experience to work with professional athletes who have high expectations of care.

“Being there and getting to treat acute situations, the students must be on their toes and decide if the patient can play within a day or two hours,” Kawaguchi said. “The students in the master’s program all have an interest in treating sports injuries and this gives them first hand experience treating these athletes where everything happens fast.”

Peter Szucs, Director of Massage Therapy, said, “These types of events are great for the massage students to participate in because it gives them the opportunity to work right alongside the DC interns. The athletes benefit from an integrated approach to their care right on the beach just like they would at one of our integrated outpatient clinics.”