Back Clinic UTEP (Local) RSS Feed. We are proud to present UTEP athletics as a recognized collegiate sports program distinguished by academic excellence, premier athletic teams, and strong moral principles. The athletics program will add value and advantage to the university through the cultivation of relationships. Through these sports stories, Dr. Jimenez’s goal is to get young kids interested in sports, not only to play but to understand the value of exercise, training, and movement. These are essential for a healthy, productive life.
UTEP (Local) RSS: Our training programs are designed for athletes that look to gain a competitive edge in their sport. We provide sport-specific services to help increase an athlete’s performance through mobility, strength, and endurance. Occasionally, however, the excess workouts can lead many to suffer injuries or develop underlying conditions. Dr. Alex Jimenez’s chronicle of articles for athletes displays in detail the many forms of complications affecting these professionals while focusing on the possible solutions and treatments to follow to achieve athlete’s overall well-being.
How Integrative Chiropractic Care Prevents Future Injuries in Athletes Using Functional Movement Assessments
Sports: an athlete is in action on the field, ready to hit the ball during the game.
Athletes often push their bodies hard during training and competition. Small problems can build up over time and turn into painful injuries that force time off from sports. To catch these issues early, many athletes now ask for functional movement assessments as part of integrative chiropractic care. This method spots hidden imbalances like muscle tightness, weak spots, or stiff joints before pain starts. By addressing these problems with adjustments, soft-tissue work, and targeted exercises, practitioners help athletes stay healthy, move better, and avoid overuse injuries.
Functional movement assessments check how the body moves during everyday and sport-specific actions. These tests look at mobility, stability, balance, and coordination. Common movements include squats, lunges, reaching overhead, or stepping in different directions. The goal is to find areas where the body does not move smoothly or evenly. Even if nothing hurts yet, these assessments reveal subclinical imbalances—small issues that do not cause pain right away but can lead to bigger problems later.
Early detection of poor posture or uneven weight distribution
Spotting a limited range of motion in the hips, shoulders, or ankles
Identifying weak core or glute muscles that affect overall stability
Noting tight muscles that pull joints out of proper alignment
Integrative chiropractic care
Integrative chiropractic care combines spinal adjustments, soft-tissue therapies, and corrective exercises to effectively address these findings. Gentle adjustments move joints back into better positions, improving nerve signals and reducing pressure on surrounding tissues. Soft tissue work, such as massage or instrument-assisted techniques, loosens tight muscles and breaks up scar tissue. Corrective exercises then build strength and teach proper movement patterns. Together, these steps enhance nervous system function, optimize biomechanics, and stop the body from developing harmful compensation patterns.
The nervous system controls every muscle movement. When the spine or joints are misaligned, nerve messages can get disrupted. This leads to weaker muscle coordination or slower reaction times. Chiropractic adjustments help restore clear nerve pathways, so muscles fire at the right time and with the right force. Better biomechanics means joints move through their full, natural range without extra stress. This reduces wear and tear on knees, hips, shoulders, and the lower back.
Compensation patterns occur when one part of the body works harder to compensate for a weakness elsewhere. For example, tight hip flexors or a tilted pelvis in runners can cause the knees to track incorrectly, leading to pain or stress fractures over time. Faulty shoulder mechanics in swimmers or weightlifters can overload the rotator cuff. Integrative care addresses these root causes rather than just treating symptoms later.
Common subclinical imbalances identified through functional movement assessments include:
Muscle tension in the lower back or hamstrings that limits forward bending
Weak glute muscles that fail to stabilize the pelvis during running or jumping
Joint restrictions in the ankles that change walking or landing mechanics
Uneven shoulder mobility that affects throwing or overhead lifting
Poor core stability causes excessive arching in the lower back during lifts
By addressing these early, athletes lower their injury risk and maintain consistent training. Regular care also speeds recovery if minor issues arise, resulting in less downtime overall.
Practitioners often start with a thorough history and physical exam. They watch the athlete perform key movements and note any asymmetries or compensations. Based on the results, they create a personalized plan. Spinal adjustments realign the vertebrae to take pressure off nerves. Soft tissue therapies release tight fascia and muscles. Then, corrective exercises strengthen weak areas and retrain proper form. Over time, these steps improve balance, coordination, flexibility, and power output.
Key benefits of combining functional movement assessments with integrative chiropractic care:
Reduced chance of sprains, strains, tendonitis, and stress fractures
Improved joint mobility and muscle flexibility for better performance
Faster reaction times and coordination through better nerve function
Less inflammation and quicker recovery between workouts
Longer sports careers by preventing chronic overuse problems
Runners frequently show pelvic imbalances that tilt the hips and strain the iliotibial band or shins. Chiropractic adjustments and exercises that strengthen the glutes and core help keep the pelvis level, improving stride efficiency and cutting injury risk. Weightlifters with restricted shoulder mobility may compensate by excessively arching their backs, which can lead to low-back strain. Targeted soft tissue work and mobility drills correct this pattern before pain develops.
Football players and other contact-sport athletes benefit from regular checks of spinal alignment to better handle impacts. Swimmers gain from improved shoulder mechanics that prevent rotator cuff irritation. Weekend warriors who lift weights or cycle also see gains in endurance and reduced soreness. The approach works for athletes of all levels because it focuses on the root causes rather than waiting for symptoms.
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, brings valuable clinical observations to this field. As a chiropractor and board-certified family nurse practitioner with certifications in functional medicine, he emphasizes non-invasive, root-cause approaches. His work highlights how chiropractic adjustments, combined with functional assessments of mobility and biomechanics, help treat sports injuries, sciatica, and musculoskeletal imbalances. Dr. Jimenez observes that addressing nerve compression, inflammation, and movement dysfunction early—through adjustments, nutrition support, and tailored rehabilitation—enhances recovery and prevents recurrence in athletes and active individuals. His integrative practice in El Paso integrates chiropractic care with functional medicine to optimize performance, reduce chronic pain, and support long-term wellness.
This holistic view aligns with broader chiropractic principles that view the body as interconnected. When one area is restricted, it affects the whole kinetic chain. Integrative care breaks that cycle by restoring proper alignment and teaching sustainable movement habits.
Additional advantages athletes notice include:
Better posture during daily activities and sports
Enhanced proprioception (body awareness) for safer landings and cuts
Decreased muscle fatigue during long training sessions
Greater overall strength and power from efficient mechanics
Support for mental focus through reduced nagging discomfort
Preventing injuries this way also saves time and money by avoiding expensive treatments or missed competitions later. Many athletes report feeling stronger, more balanced, and more confident in their movements after consistent care.
To maintain results, athletes typically schedule regular visits. Frequency depends on training intensity, sport demands, and individual findings. Some come weekly during heavy training periods, while others maintain monthly check-ins. Between visits, they perform prescribed exercises at home or in the gym to reinforce new patterns.
Education plays a big role, too. Chiropractors teach proper warm-up routines, cool-down stretches, and body mechanics for specific sports. Nutritional guidance can sometimes complement care to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation. Collaboration with coaches, physical therapists, or trainers creates a complete support team.
In summary, functional movement assessments allow integrative chiropractic care to identify subclinical imbalances long before pain appears. Adjustments restore joint function, soft tissue therapies release restrictions, and corrective exercises build resilience. This combination enhances nervous system communication, optimizes biomechanics, and prevents compensation patterns that cause overuse injuries. Athletes—from runners dealing with pelvic tilts to lifters correcting shoulder mechanics—benefit by training more consistently, performing at higher levels, and enjoying longer, healthier careers. By addressing small issues proactively, this approach helps athletes stay in the game without painful interruptions.
NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced on Monday that UTEP quarterback Ryan Metz one of 146 nominees for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Work Team, a prestigious off-the-field honor in college football.
“Allstate is immensely honored to partner with the AFCA for the 10th year to help pay tribute to these players and their off-the-field ‘good works’ that often go unnoticed and unrewarded,” said Thomas Clarkson, president of the west territory for Allstate Insurance Company and a member of the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Teamvoting panel. “The individuals nominated to the 2017 Good Works Team are making a positive impact and uniting communities across the country through service, showing what’s possible when you put all hands in and give back.”
The El Paso native is known for his on-field achievements and has also made an impact off the field. The junior completed 25 hours of community service hours last season, while the signal caller is known for volunteering his time to children in the community. Metz volunteered over 15 hours at children’s camps, where he assisted with football drills and activities for the future gridiron greats.
Metz was also a member of Project MOVE, where he played with children in the community in various activities like kickball, football and soccer. Metz is active in assisting with the football team’s weekly dinner with the Child Crisis Center. Metz, along with his teammates, spend time with the children in the Crisis Center, playing, working on homework and eating dinner together.
The student-athletes nominated for this esteemed award embody the true spirit of teamwork and selflessness, donating their limited free time to helping and serving others. From founding a non-profit that helps orphans secure jobs in the workforce to raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer research, the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® nominees may wear different jerseys on the field, but they all exemplify a superior commitment to giving back off of it.
Comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA, the final roster of 22 award recipients will be unveiled in September. From the nominees submitted by sports information directors across the nation on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Teammembers and prominent college football media members will select the 2017 Good Works Team.
Two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner and 2009 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member Tim Tebow will headline the Allstate AFCA Good Works Teamvoting panel.
Once the final team members are announced in September, college football fans are encouraged to visit the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team website on ESPN.com, featuring profiles and images of the players, for the opportunity to vote for the 2017 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain. Throughout the season, fans can also follow along and join in on the conversation by searching and using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels.
In order to meet the criteria, set forth by Allstate and the AFCA, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining a strong academic standing.
Metz has also excelled in the classroom, as he’s a three-time Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient with a 3.34 GPA in Mathematics. Metz completed 64.7 percent of his passes, ranked third in C-USA in 2016, while it’s the program’s second-best single-season performance. His 14 passing scores were the most for a UTEP quarterback since 2010.
Recently, Metz was one of 45 national collegiate quarterbacks, and the first UTEP quarterback, to be invited to the 2017 Manning Passing Academy supervised by the Manning Family (Archie, Cooper, Peyton and Eli). The camp was a four-day event that started on June 22 at Nicholls State University in which over 125 prep, college and professional coaches, counselors and staff members were involved.
Coming off a historic season, the UTEP Hockey Club announced they will host Northern Arizona University Ice Jacks in their 2017-18 season home opener on October 13, 2017.
“Opening up against the NAU Ice Jacks will be a very good test for our club. They were 1 of 2 representatives from the Western Region to automatically qualify for Nationals. Our club knows they will be looking to improve from last year just as much as we are. We played one of our best games last season against them in January. It should make for an exciting opening home stand,” comments Coach Herman.
Last season the Miners hosted the Ice Jacks in their second home weekend of the season. The Miners swept the series with a win on Friday (5-2) and Saturday night (4-2). In late January the Miners met Northern Arizona in a three game matchup. The Miners lost game one (2-0) but swept the rest of the weekend against NAU to cap off the final road trip of the season.
Game time is TBD. The two game series will be played at the El Paso County Events Center.
The Miners finished 7th in the Western Region while NAU finished 2nd, qualifying both teams for post season play at the ACHA Tournament.
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The UTEP Athletics media relations office was recently honored by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) with a “Super 11” award, given annually to the best performing sports information departments in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
“I would like to congratulate our media relations staff for this tremendous honor and thank them for all their hard work,” said UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull. “In particular, I would like to recognize Director of Media Relations Denise Mata and Assistant Director Drew Bonney, who do an exceptional job heading up the media relations effort for football. The media relations staff puts in long hours on gameday, arriving a few hours before kickoff and staying for a few hours after the clock runs out. We appreciate their dedication to consistently providing outstanding service.”
UTEP joined Air Force, Arkansas State, Miami (Ohio), Oklahoma State and Tennessee as first-time winners. Also on the list were Clemson, Colorado, Navy, Nebraska and USC.
“Our organization believes this award is one of the most important tasks that we do each year,” said Tim Griffin of Cox Communications, the FWAA’s 2010 president and the head of the Super 11 committee.
“There are many outstanding SID staffs across the country. But these 11 departments we are honoring are consistently exemplary beyond expectations. We hope these awards help to showcase them.”
Criteria employed in determining the winners not only included how press boxes and media operations were operated, but also the quality and timeliness of information provided.
Also judged was the amount of information presented and appropriately updated on websites, and personal responsiveness to media inquiries as well as the accessibility of a program’s players, coaches and assistant coaches.
The ratings considered those departments that went the extra mile in servicing the media.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living.
The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game.
The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.
This year’s awards, the eighth annual, were presented for the 2016 season.
IRVING, Texas – Anthony Rotich (Cross Country) was announced as one of the 14 recipients of the Jim Castaneda Postgraduate Scholarship Award, announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.
The conference annually awards the $4,000 Postgraduate Scholarships to graduates as selected by the C-USA Faculty Athletics Representatives and approved by the Board of Directors.
Rotich, a civil engineer major and mathematics minor, graduated from UTEP as a three-time C-USA All-American honoree and a four-time C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll recipient. The Kenya native was a four-time NCAA Champion and an 11-time Mountain Region Athlete of the Year. He was named the 2014 C-USA Cross Country Athlete of the Year.
Rotich is applying to UTEP’s College of Engineering – Construction Management.
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Emmanuel Korir, Michael Saruni and Mickael Hanany qualified to the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) World Championships over the weekend.
Running in Nairobi, Kenya, Korir qualified to the 800m final with a time of 1:45.50 in the first heat, Saruni followed with a time of 1:46.10 in the second. In the men’s final, Korir (1:43.86) notched the crown and Saruni took third with a personal best of 1:44.61.
The All-Americans garnered a spot on the Kenya national team which heads to London, England to compete at the World Championships on August 5-8.
Also making his way to London will be former UTEP track and field star Mickael Hanany (France). Hanany took gold at the 2017 Euro Superleague with a leap over 2.26m (7-5) in the high jump. The seven time All-American will compete in his fourth IAAF World Championship.
The Nigerian trails will take place on July 7-8.
For more information on UTEP track and field, follow the Miners on Twitter (@UTEPTrack) and on Instagram (uteptrack).
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UTEP softball head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk announced the addition of pitcher Kira McKechnie on Wednesday. …
UTEP softball head coach Tobin Echo-Hawk announced the addition of pitcher Kira McKechnie on Wednesday. McKechnie played her first two years at Fresno State and will have two years of eligibility with the Miners.
McKechnie will join fellow transfer pitcher Julia Wright, and UTEP sophomore hurlers Devyn Cretz and Allie Johnson for the 2018 season.
“We are excited to have Kira on our roster for the upcoming season,” Echo-Hawk said. “It is always nice to add some depth to your pitching staff.”
McKechnie, a native of Sacramento, Calif., made a relief appearance in the circle during the 2017 campaign against San Diego and recorded a strikeout. In 2016, McKechnie made a pair of appearances in the circle, throwing 1.1 innings, while allowing two hits and no runs.
McKechnie attended Christian Brothers High School and was a dual-sport athlete. She was a four-year letterwinner in both softball and basketball. McKechnie was voted softball team captain in 2015 and capped her senior year with multiple accolades, which includes Sacramento Bee’s 2015 All-Metro first team, Cal-Hi first team All-State, CAL All-Optimist All-Star team, MaxPreps first team All-State and Cal-Hi D3 Athlete of Honor.
She was named Female Athlete of the Year by Character Combine, Bee Preps Show and MaxPreps Christian Brothers, while earning the Credit Union Athlete of the Week in 2015.
During her senior season, McKechnie hit .462 with 40 RBI, 11 doubles, a triple and eight home runs. She added 18 runs and was walked nine times. In the circle, McKechnie (12-7) fashioned a 1.95 ERA and recorded 195 Ks 140 innings (23 starts/25 appearances).
McKechnie has competed for the California Breeze (2005-09), Capital City Comets (2009-12), Nor Cal Patriots (2012-14) and Central Cal Dirt Dogs (2014-15). She also attended the 2012 OnDeck Elite Futures Camp and 2013 Colorado Sparkler All-Star/All-American game.
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