Kaysville Chiropractor Helps Athletes On US Track And Field Team In Tokyo

TOKYO — We have had possibly more athletes with Utah ties represented in Tokyo than during any other Summer Olympics before, but it’s not just athletes going to the Games.

Food vendors, makeup artists and doctors — just to name a few.

KSL’s Alex Cabrero spoke with a Kaysville chiropractor who is on the medical crew for the U.S. Track and Field team.

He knows exactly what these athletes have because he’s Olympian as well.

“Let’s start right here, okay?” said Dr. James Parker with Parker Muscle and Sports Clinic.

Many people usually only visit a chiropractor when something is wrong, and it’s James Parker’s job to make it right again.

5x Olympian and 10x Olympic medalist. @allysonfelix matches Carl Lewis’ record for the most medals in U.S. Olympic track and field history. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/prBfcmWMNV

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 6, 2021

“Let it go, let it go, let it go,” he said. “Good. Other side.”

He enjoys that look on his patients’ faces, when those pops that make us all squirm, also makes it all feel better.

“Okay, come on up. Let’s see how that treats you,” said Parker.

Although he’s always busy, Parker won’t be in his Kaysville office for a few weeks because his next patients need him to help win a Gold Medal.

“I was, I mean, I actually cried because, as a chiropractor, this is definitely a dream job,” he said.

Making an Olympic Team would be a dream come true for anyone, and Parker was chosen to be the chiropractor for the athletes on the U.S. Track and Field team during the Tokyo Olympics.

Straight cheesin' 😃🇺🇸 #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/j68qR2YI7N

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 7, 2021

“I know when they’re hurting, how fast they want to get over it,” he said. “Time is not a luxury you have and they have, and so, if you have some skills, or a skill set that can flip the switch, they like that. And if they know you have that — instant trust.” 

It helps the athletes already trust him because Parker is an Olympian himself, having competed as a hammer thrower during the Athens 2004 Games.

“Unfortunately, my Olympic experience as an athlete wasn’t a medal stand,” he said. “I got the participation medal, you know, but it still was a dream come true.”

His office is decorated with pictures, items and credentials from his career — both as an athlete and as a doctor for athletes at other big events.

They don’t miss! #TeamUSATF women more than got the job done in the 4x400m Relay final at #Tokyo2020, winning 🥇 in 3:16.85.@allysonfelix cements her status as the most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history! pic.twitter.com/Ujtbl7fUtJ

— USATF (@usatf) August 7, 2021

“It’s very rewarding,” said Parker.

But, Parker knows, it doesn’t get any bigger than the Olympics.

“And coming in and be able to participate again, and represent my country in a way, man, it’s great. It’s, it’s really, it’s really neat,” he said.