Cape chiropractor takes talents to Olympics

"It's such a blessing. There's probably 40,000 or 50,000 chiropractors in the United States and there's going to be about 40 there. Just the fact I got to be one of those is humbling, actually. Be there, be the best I can and enjoy it."

Those words, spoken by Cape Girardeau chiropractor Matt Uchtman, reveal the rare opportunity with which he finds himself. Uchtman will be one of the few chiropractors working behind the scenes with wrestlers competing in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this week.

The Uchtman's Elevation Chiropractic doctor is a health adviser to the wrestlers. As part of the Maximized Living Sports Performance Council, he is tasked with seeing to the overall well-being of the Olympians -- from making sure they maintain the appropriate weight to helping them keep the right mindset to running errands -- he will have a hand in it all. "We basically do whatever they need us to do," he said recently, as the Southeast Missourian reported.

Uchtman understands the toll sports play on athletes, as he was one himself, so he's focused on keeping their bodies intact for the long haul, not just through the Games.

"I played sports my whole life, and just noticed that that stuff does wear on you," Uchtman said. "We want to do the best we can to support them so their body doesn't break down." Instead, the body must be preserved for a "life after this -- family and kids and careers."

Professional sports always brings up the subject of doping, so that, too, is one aspect of working with Olympians. Being that line of defense through advisement is essential, and Uchtman takes that seriously, as well.

But is our local chiropractor ready for primetime? Have his Cape patients' needs prepared him to meet the needs this week in Rio? "I'm going to be doing the same thing down there that I do here," he said.

Of course, he feels prepared; he didn't get selected out of such a wide pool because he could not do the job. On the contrary.

How exciting it is for one of our own to work with the best wrestlers in the world, on the largest stage in the world! We're proud of him.

So how excited and proud is Uchtman himself? We'll let him answer that question: "It's the Olympics." he said.

Enough said!

Well, one more thing: Congratulations, Dr. Uchtman; you're gold medal quality in our eyes!