Renowned sports chiropractor Dr. Larry Bell recently celebrated his 45th year in business in Orillia and while he's not retiring, he can take a little more time to reflect on his career these days.
That's because he's handed over the reins of Bell Chiropractic and Back to Function at 26 Colborne St. E. to his son, Dr. Spencer Bell, a sports chiropractor.
"When he started in chiropractic (1979), it looked a heck of a lot different than it does today," said Spencer.
"He's been a pioneer driving change in a positive way by spearheading evidence-based medicine and care and a cohesive integration of disciplines."
Larry, 73, has always encouraged his staff to develop tools to help people with a "patient-first, everything-else-second" attitude.
“That’s something that he’s adapted from the Olympics at a professional level. That’s no different than the person walking in from the street — that quality of care is there," said Spencer Bell.
Larry is still teaching, doing seminars and treating people who seek him out, while spreading "the love" of sports chiropractic care to others on his team.
"I’ve been to six Olympics. I’ve been to 23 World Championships. I’d rather someone else go that hasn’t experienced it,” he said.
With that in mind, Spencer, 37, went to the Paris Olympics this summer, while sports medicine physician Janet McMordie went to the Paris Paralympics.
Spencer went with clients and qualifying local mountain bikers Gunnar and Isabella Holmgren as a consultant with the mountain biking group.
"Our job is to maximize efficiency, make sure training goals are met and make sure that leading to race day, you are operating as close to 100 per cent as you can be,” said Spencer.
When Gunnar first came to Back to Function, Spencer found ways he could increase his pedalling efficiency bio-metrically that resulted in significantly more power, measured through the crank shaft.
"We optimize efficiency. That is our goal," said Spencer.
Larry said that while there is now a lot of technology in measuring metrics, it comes down to balance.
“Whatever your bio-motor skills — whether it’s speed, endurance, agility or power — it all comes down to balance as the key ingredient to optimizing that,” said Larry.
Bell Chiropractic — Back to Function has treated more than 250 Olympic athletes over the years. The practice overall, has treated close to 40,000 patients.
Under one roof is a sports medicine doctor, a physiotherapist, chiropractors, sports chiropractors, a kinesiologist and massage therapists.
"It's all under one roof and we have an open-door policy. We all collaborate," said Larry. "I would put us up against any office in Canada for skill and experience."
Spencer is specially trained to be a sports chiropractor, one of just 130 in Canada. He is also a Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) practitioner; one of only 21 in Canada.
Dr. Nader Abdelkader recently passed his DNS exams, so there is two DNS practitioners in the Orillia office these days.
Abdelkader is also the lead medical officer for the Canadian fencing team. At the Paris Olympics, Canadian fencer Eleanor Harvey won a bronze medal, Canada's first medal in fencing.
"We will have athletes in the next summer and the next winter Olympics," said Larry.
Local rower Cedar Wink is one of Spencer's clients. Wink is currently studying engineering at Cornell University in New York. There, she is rowing and competing with the top rowers in North America.
Back to Function also works with winter athletes including freestyle skiers, snowboarders and figure skaters.
The Bells and their staff also train other health practitioners.
"We have sports medicine seminars that we do worldwide," said Larry.
The functional biomechanical assessment seminar is good for all health professions. It involves pieces from all different areas of sports medicine and therapy.
Spencer said having his father around is a "priceless resource."
"I'm super proud of what he's accomplished and it's amazing to have someone in the room next door that's been in it for 45 years and still pushing the boundaries."
