#61 - Encouraging Women Leaders in Sports Chiropractic with Dr. Shea Stark

25 Aug 2023 · 36 min
The FAKTR Podcast

25 Aug 2023 · 36 min

0:00

In this episode of The Factor Podcast, host Jessica Riddle interviews Dr. Shea Stark, a sports chiropractor and prominent leader in the field. Dr. Stark recounts her path from a collegiate athlete (volleyball and bowling) to discovering chiropractic after undergrad, navigating a delayed entry into chiropractic school due to multiple knee surgeries, and building a career that blends clinical practice, international travel to treat elite athletes, and extensive service in professional organizations (ACA Sports Council, International Federation of Sports Chiropractic, USA Cheerleading Medical Commission). She describes how early networking, student leadership roles, and lobbying experiences shaped her trajectory, and highlights the growing presence of women in sports chiropractic leadership, noting the benefits of diverse perspectives for treating female athletes. The conversation turns to practical guidance for students and early‑career clinicians: join campus sports‑medicine clubs, become a student member of the ACA Sports Council, volunteer at local sports events, and seek mentorship. Dr. Stark outlines her clinical toolkit (cupping, dry needling, Hypervolt, manual myofascial techniques, taping) and emphasizes the importance of hands‑on experience over classroom learning. She discusses her commitment to lifelong learning—triple the required CEUs, courses in dry needling, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), and soft‑tissue techniques—and reflects on how COVID‑19 spurred virtual CE delivery and the Factor webinar series. Throughout, she stresses humility, the “learn‑it‑or‑earn‑it” principle, and the need for chiropractors to be prepared for emergency situations on the sidelines. The episode concludes with a preview of the next show.

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