Recovery is a critical component of any successful training program. Often times the most under-utilized performance enhancing techniques. Recovery refers to actions taken to maximize your body’s repair. Nutrition, heat compression, ice, stretching, hydration, and stress management are just a few of the ways athletes should recover after an intense workout. Here at the House we want to make sure our athletes are taking care of themselves on and off the Turf. We’ve brought in Dr. Kamraan to offer complimentary physical therapy and recovery services to our athletes. We’ve asked him a few questions in order to get to know him better.
Dr. Kamraan Husain was born and raised in Kansas City, KS. He comes from a family of both medical physicians and chiropractors. He has been in practice for four years and moved to NYC two years ago with the aspirations to join, educate, and influence one of the largest athletic communities in the nation.
1. What inspired you to become a Chiropractor?
Growing up in a family of doctors, I realized at a very young age that “health” was something you earned. my mother, a chiropractor, taught me that if you want success, you cannot be passive about it. you have to go get it. period.
My Chiropractic and rehab philosophy is based on the principle of “active” health. Recovery is earned with active therapy.
2. What’s your education background? Tell us a little about your studies and the process of getting your Doctor of Chiropractic. Is that typical for people in your field?
I was a biology major at Kansas State University with a focus in pre-veterinary medicine. After going through many high-end research programs in my first year, I realized that seeing animals in pain was not for me. Humans, however, maintain an aspect of accountability. I can relate to humans/athletes because I am one. I live and breathe the same aches, pains, and lifestyle. That connection is what makes me so passionate about my career. I don’t feel like I “work” at all because I’ve chosen a profession that matches my own lifestyle. Many chiropractors come from an educational background in biology. However, I believe my own application is unique in the fact that I have been receiving the chiropractic therapy, adjustments, and rehab since I was a young child.
3. What are your practice/specialty areas?
I specialize my care on the biomechanics of athletes, not only in pain management but also in performance. My ultimate goal is to educate athletes to better understand their bodies, so they can train more effectively and efficiently.
4. Growing up, were you always interested in sports and physical activity?
Yes, ALWAYS interested. I played soccer and basketball as a child. I was always trying to emulate athletes like Michael Jordan and David Beckham. My passion of power lifting and Olympic lifting came as I started chiropractic school. I began using the gym as a laboratory to practice functional movements and test different recovery tools. I used my own personal experience in the gym to create rehabilitation principles for my patients.
5. How does chiropractic and rehabilitation make a difference for athletes?
Chiropractic and rehabilitation help restore “balance” in the body. It helps promote recovery and improve your results from grueling workouts. An athlete should be taking part in active recovery methods twice as many times as they are training. if you want to see results, incorporate the recovery component.
6. What recovery “toys” do you use and how can they benefit athlete’s performance?
Electronic trigger point therapy tool: helps decrease muscular tightness with a micro current
Thera-Gun: vibrational therapy tool to increase circulation and relax spasming/cramping muscles
Pain-Pill: 50lbs of drop cut steel for “body tempering” (instead of foam rolling, it’s called steel rolling)
7. Do you have any tips or advice for people on when to see a chiropractor?
Whether it’s about spinal issues, extremity issues, or sprains/strains, I believe everyone can benefit from chiropractic care. The most important thing someone can do is research. Find the doctor that is the right fit for you. All practitioners specialize in different techniques, so make sure you write out your personal goals and find the doctor that can best help you meet those goals.
8. What’s the most challenging part about your work?
The most challenging part of my job is the differential diagnosis, which is also the fun part of my job. Every person is different. Every person’s rehab/recovery program is unique to them, and being able to differentially diagnosis is what makes it so fun/hard. Two people, with the same injury/rehab protocol, can have very different recovery outcomes. That is why I read journals and research on a daily basis, so I can stay on my toes at all times.
9. What motivates you the most every day?
I want to be the best version of myself, every single day. The time I spend in the gym, recovering, or hitting the books is reflective of my own health aspirations. it has always been a passion of mine to share knowledge. I consider myself a teacher and I want to empower the community to care about their health/recovery, as much as I do.
