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Sports Medicine

Optimize your athletic performance and prevent injuries with comprehensive sports medicine care tailored to your sport and goals.

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Comprehensive Sports Medicine Services

Performance Enhancement and Injury Prevention

Athletic performance depends on optimal biomechanical function, proper movement patterns, and musculoskeletal balance. Our sports medicine approach focuses on identifying and correcting imbalances before they lead to injury or performance decline. Through detailed movement analysis and functional assessments, we help athletes of all levels achieve their peak potential while minimizing injury risk.
Regular maintenance care can address minor restrictions and imbalances before they develop into significant problems. This proactive approach is why elite athletes consistently incorporate chiropractic care into their training regimens, viewing it as essential as proper nutrition and conditioning.

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Sports Medicine

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Specialized Treatment Techniques

Manual Therapy and Soft Tissue Work

  • Our comprehensive treatment approach combines multiple techniques to address both acute injuries and chronic conditions. Manual therapy techniques help restore proper joint mechanics, while targeted soft tissue work addresses muscle tension, trigger points, and fascial restrictions that can limit performance and contribute to pain patterns.

Movement Pattern Correction

  • Poor movement patterns are often at the root of recurring injuries. We analyze how you move during sport-specific activities and daily functions, identifying compensatory patterns that place unnecessary stress on joints and tissues. Through corrective exercises and manual therapy, we help retrain optimal movement patterns.

Recovery and Rehabilitation Protocols

  • Proper recovery is crucial for athletic performance and injury prevention. We develop individualized recovery protocols that may include specific exercises, stretching routines, and lifestyle modifications to enhance your body's natural healing processes and prepare you for your next training session or competition.

Sport Specific Injury Management

Running and Endurance Sports

  • Runners face unique challenges, including repetitive stress injuries, biomechanical imbalances, and overuse conditions. Common issues we address include plantar fasciitis, IT band syndrome, shin splints, and runner's knee. Our treatment approach focuses on addressing the underlying causes while helping you maintain your training schedule when possible.

Contact and Collision Sports

  • Athletes in football, hockey, rugby, and similar sports face risks of acute trauma and cumulative stress from repeated impacts. We specialize in managing concussion protocols, joint sprains, and the complex injury patterns common in these sports while helping athletes return to play safely and effectively.

Golf and Precision Sports

  • Golf places unique demands on the spine and requires precise coordination of multiple body segments. We address common golf-related issues such as lower back pain, shoulder impingement, and elbow problems while working to optimize your swing mechanics and overall performance.

CrossFit and Functional Fitness

  • The varied, high-intensity nature of CrossFit training can lead to specific injury patterns and movement dysfunctions. We help CrossFit athletes address mobility restrictions, correct lifting mechanics, and manage the demands of constantly varied functional movements.

What to Expect

Functional Movement Screening

  • Comprehensive movement assessments help identify limitations and asymmetries that may predispose you to injury. These screenings evaluate fundamental movement patterns and guide our treatment approach, ensuring we address the root causes of dysfunction rather than just symptoms.

Therapeutic Exercise Prescription

  • Evidence-based exercise protocols are tailored to your specific condition, sport demands, and recovery goals. These programs progress systematically from initial healing phases through return to full activity, incorporating strength, mobility, and movement quality components.

Nutritional and Lifestyle Guidance

  • Optimal recovery and performance extend beyond manual treatment. We provide guidance on nutrition strategies that support healing and performance, sleep optimization for recovery, and lifestyle modifications that complement your treatment and training goals.

When to Seek Sports Medicine Care

Immediate Attention Needed

  • Seek immediate evaluation for acute injuries involving severe pain, inability to bear weight, suspected fractures, or significant swelling and deformity. Signs of concussion, including confusion, dizziness, or memory problems, also require prompt professional assessment.

Early Intervention Benefits

  • Don't wait for minor aches and pains to become major problems. Early intervention for new symptoms often prevents more serious injuries and reduces recovery time. Changes in performance, persistent stiffness, or minor pain that doesn't resolve with rest warrant professional evaluation.

Maintenance and Prevention

  • Regular check-ups during training seasons help identify and address minor issues before they impact performance or lead to injury. Many athletes schedule maintenance visits monthly or quarterly, depending on their training intensity and competition schedule.

Return-to-Play Protocols

Safe return to athletic activities requires systematic progression through specific criteria. We evaluate not just the absence of pain, but also restoration of strength, mobility, coordination, and sport-specific movement patterns. Our return-to-play protocols are individualized based on your sport’s demands and the specific nature of your injury.
Rushing back to full activity too quickly often leads to re-injury or compensation patterns that create new problems. We work with you to balance your desire to return to competition with the need for complete healing and restoration of function.

Working with Your Athletic Team

We collaborate closely with coaches, trainers, and other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated care. Communication with your training team helps ensure that treatment recommendations are compatible with your training schedule and competitive goals. For serious injuries, we provide detailed documentation and recommendations for modified activities, allowing you to maintain fitness while respecting healing tissue constraints.

Long-Term Athletic Health

Our goal extends beyond treating current injuries to supporting your long-term athletic participation and overall health. This includes educating you about injury prevention strategies, proper training progression, and the importance of recovery in athletic development.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or competitive athlete, investing in proper sports medicine care helps ensure you can continue enjoying your activities for years to come while performing at your optimal level.

About Us

Your Destination for Whole-Body Wellness and Healing

At Bissell Clinic, we believe true wellness starts from within. With nearly 30 years of experience, our clinic has earned a trusted reputation for patient-centered care in the heart of Santa Barbara. Led by Dr. Charles Bissell, a respected chiropractor known for his passion for natural healing, our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to helping you feel stronger, healthier, and more energized through personalized treatment plans and proven therapies. From advanced chiropractic and physical therapy to innovative wellness services, we’re here to support your journey toward a more vibrant, fulfilling life.

Why Choose Bissell

Latest Research and Techniques

We stay at the forefront of the chiropractic and wellness field by continually integrating the latest research-backed methods into our practice. Our team is committed to ongoing education and advanced training to ensure you receive safe, effective care that reflects today’s best practices.

Warm and Inviting Environment

From the moment you walk through the door, our friendly team takes the time to get to know you and ensures your visits are timely and comfortable. Located in Montecito’s charming Upper Village, our beautifully designed space provides a calm and relaxing atmosphere.

State-of-the-Art Equipment

We utilize advanced equipment and modern technology to deliver precise, high-quality care tailored to your specific needs. This allows us to assess your condition more effectively and offer targeted treatments that support faster, more lasting results for optimal recovery.

Customized Care

Every treatment plan is thoughtfully tailored to meet your specific needs and goals. Dr. Bissell takes the time to understand your condition and recommends only what’s necessary, never over-treating or suggesting services that aren’t truly beneficial to your recovery.

Real Patient Experiences

" I couldn't believe the difference after just one session. For the first time in years, I went to a yoga class without worry. "
Sarah M.
" Emsella gave me my life back. I can laugh with my grandchildren again without embarrassment. "
Linda K.
"My experience with Dr Bissell has been incredible! The staff are kind and professional, Dr Bissell is amazing! He has taken the time to get to know me and my spine and in just a few appointments I feel soooooo much better! I will continue working with him towards a pain free body."
Liv K.
" After prostate surgery, I thought I'd never feel normal again. Emsella helped me get back to my regular activities without worry. "
Robert, 62
" I was skeptical at first, but the results speak for themselves. I'm finally sleeping through the night again. "
David, 68
"Great experience with Dr. Bissell & his entire team. He’s a super skilled & compassionate doctor. My neck was out of whack for months and I couldn’t get full relief until he adjusted me."
Juli G.
" The treatment was simple and comfortable. I wish I had known about this sooner - it's been life-changing. "
Michael, 67
"Excellent experience! The entire team was wonderful! Took great care of me! Dr. Bissell was thorough, explained the source of my pain and biomechanics in a concise, easy to understand way. His treatment was gentle and precise. I only wish I had come sooner!!! I felt immediate relief! Highly recommend Bissell Clinic"
Michele V.
"I wish that I had come to your clinic 3 years ago! I appreciate the time that Karen took to analyze and pin down my needs, and I look forward to working with her! I feel very relieved and optimistic! Thank you!"
Pak B.

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