TCC at the World Championships

Dr. Todd Riddle, professor at Texas Chiropractic College (TCC) and a seasoned sports chiropractor, recently etched his name in the annals of sports history. Joining the medical team of USA Gymnastics for the 37th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Birmingham, England, Riddle brought his expertise to the forefront of elite athletic performance. 

Prior to the championships, Riddle immersed himself in the rigorous preparations alongside Team USA in Renne, France, fine-tuning their physical well-being for the pinnacle event. The culmination of the team’s efforts unfolded on the global stage, where over 1,000 athletes from 40 countries showcased their prowess. Riddle’s involvement was not merely professional; it was a testament to his commitment to advancing the field of sports chiropractic. 

“To say that it was an honor to represent our country and our flag at World Championships would be a dramatic understatement,” explained Riddle, his excitement for his team’s performance written plainly in the smile on his face, “I am so proud of the athletes and their resilience. The results of their efforts are obvious, team World Champions!” 

No Stranger to the Olympics  

Working to qualify as an Olympic competitor is practically synonymous with an immense commitment and passion for your sport— you live, breathe, and eat the sport; that’s what champions are made of. What we as spectators often don’t see is the wear and tear that this level of commitment can have on the body. This is where experts like Riddle step in.   

Though still adjusting to his new position on the USA Gymnastics’ medical team, Riddle, having over two decades of experience in sports medicine, is no stranger to the Olympics. He has had the opportunity to treat and educate dozens of gold standard athletes from around the world, serving as Team Chiropractor for the Nigerian women’s bobsled/skeleton team at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics in South Korea, as Team Chiropractor for the Australia Bobsleigh/Skelton IBSF BMW World Cup in 2021, as well as the 2022 USA Racquetball Sports Medicine US Open.   

Given the stringent approval process for administering care to athletes of this caliber, Riddle’s selection stands as a testament to his considerable skill. Boasting an extensive background in kinesiotherapy, musculoskeletal treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery for elite athletes, there is no one better to ease the strains and pains of America’s top gymnasts. But for Riddle, it’s more than a competition, but a chance to be a part of something great. 

“This event has proven an incredible chance to once again work with athletes at the top of their sport… I am honored to be a part of the USA Gymnastics medical team.” 

Sports Are a Way of Life  

As a former Division One athlete himself, Riddle has proven that, for a dedicated few, sports are a way of life. After an injury opened his eyes to the skill needed to maintain a body fit for competition, Riddle decided to pursue a B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Toledo (UToledo) in 1998. This is also where he would officially begin his career in sports medicine, serving as a staff kinesiotherapist developing rehabilitation programs and aquatic therapy and then as a Director of Sports Performance at Mercy Healthcare Systems (and later, Healthsouth Sports Medicine), before becoming founder and CEO of the Athletic Republic of Charlotte in 2002. In 2009, Riddle would go on to complete a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, officially setting him on the path to TCC and the Olympics.   

In 2013, Riddle joined Southeast Professional Education Group (SPEG), becoming lead instructor for Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehabilitation (FAKTR), providing professional education to current and aspiring chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists and physical therapists.  

Finally, in 2016, Riddle officially joined the TCC Family, where he has served as Director of Rehabilitation, a dedicated instructor, and even faculty advisor to the TCC Sports Council, promoting student organizations near and dear to his heart. In fact, it was during his time at TCC that Riddle officially cracked into Olympians, serving as performance Chiropractor to Anthony Watson, an American-born skeleton racer who competed on behalf of Jamaica in the 2018 Winter Olympics.   

Bringing His Students to the Gold  

It isn’t just in the Olympic arena that Riddle continues to bridge the worlds of education and elite sports medicine. He also hopes to use these incredible opportunities to enhance the education of his students at TCC, potentially giving way to programs that allow students to shadow Team Practitioners or attend qualifying events here in Texas. This hands-on experience will cultivate distinction in the next generation of healthcare professionals, fulfilling the mission of excellence upheld by TCC. 

One lesson Riddle hopes to impart to his students at TCC is understanding the importance of being a part of a greater whole. Riddle himself is the first to admit that success in sports medicine isn’t up to any one person or technique, it is a multi-disciplinary effort.   

Riddle explains, “We had athletic training, physical therapy, sports psychology, sports chiropractic, and osteopathic medicine all working as one cohesive unit. Man, did I learn a ton!” 

What the Future Holds   

As we wait with bated breath to see what Team USA brings home next, we are also left to wonder what the future holds for TCC and the initiatives Riddle hopes to spearhead in the coming years. According to TCC President Sandra Hughes, the visibility of chiropractic alongside elite sports care is a testament to chiropractic and its role in the health and performance of professional athletes.    

“I cannot wait to see what the future holds for our students,” said President Hughes, “to provide care to an Olympian is a dream for many in sports medicine, and here at TCC we aim to make that a reality.”