My Bio
Dr. Joel Dekanich is the founder and director of Vail Integrative Medical Group. Having practiced in Vail for the past twenty years, Dr. Dekanich has established a reputation for successfully diagnosing and treating difficult sports and spine conditions. As an Ironman competitor and ultra marathoner, Dr. Dekanich treats Olympic and elite/professional athletes to weekend warriors and ‘everyday’ patients. Dr. Dekanich is a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (250 nationally) and routinely lectures and attends well over 100 hours of continuing education and symposiums each year with emphasis in physical medicine, rehabilitation and current research and literature.
Dr. Dekanich has been featured nationally on the cover of The American Chiropractor magazine for his vision and dedication in creating the VIMG multidiscipline model. Dr. Dekanich is part of the PGA medical/chiropractic staff and worked with the Olympic Committee medical staff at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO in preparation for the athlete summer games in Beijing. Dr. Dekanich lectures for a post graduate program at multiple colleges across the country including the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Dr. Dekanich was selected to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) track and field medical staff for the ParaPan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in November, 2011.
- Doctorate: Doctor of Chiropractic, Palmer College, Davenport, IA (1994)
- Bachelor of Science: Palmer College, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
- Master’s Degree: Exercise science & sports rehabilitation, Logan College, St. Louis, MO (August 2013) (Graduated with distinction)
- Associate Degree in Nursing: Institute of Healthcare Professions, West Palm Beach, FL (2015)
- Certifications/Courses: Level II dry needling technique (2013), Active Release Technique (lower), 2010, (spine), (2009), Titleist Performance Institute, Certified Golf Fitness Instructor (2010), Kinesio Taping K1-K3 Certified (2010), Graston Technique (2009), PGA / PSC certified analysis & treatment for the professional golfer (2009), National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (2004), Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Certified Sports Physicians (2006), Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, National Strength & Conditioning Association (2001), Level I Accredited Workman’s Compensation Physician
- Member: American Chiropractic Association Council on Sports & Physical Fitness, Colorado Chiropractic Association, National Strength & Conditioning Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Colorado Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
Co author: The effects of Kinesiotaping on back muscle endurance among patients with low back pain: A randomized controlled crossover trial. Lindsey E. Hagen, DPT, Jeffrey J. Hebert, DC, PhD, Joel Dekanich, DC, MS, DACBSP. Journal of Orthopeadics & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT). March, 2015, Volume 45, Number 3.
An Athlete Treating Fellow Athletes
“I am dedicated to treating typical spine-related injuries however, I am also a specialist in sports and extremity pain. As an Ironman triathlete and ultra marathon runner, I remain current with the latest sports injury science and research available in post-graduate studies, under renowned experts in those fields”.
- PGA TOUR Sports Medicine and Chiropractic Staff — 2009-Present
- Sports Medicine and Emergency Medical Staff, Hawaii Ironman World Championships — Kona, Hawaii, 2004, 2008
- Partial List of Events completed: Leadville 100 Trail Run, Sivler Rush 50 mile run, Dirty Thirty 50K and Bear Chase 50K runs, Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon, Harvest Moon half-Ironman, 5430 half-Ironman, Chicago Marathon, Toronto Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, D.C.), Cape Cod Marathon and the Steamboat Marathon, Moab and Boulder Backroads half marathon
A Community Leader
“Belief in the importance of giving something back to the community is the main reason I sponsor so many local sporting events with on-site care."
- Official sports medicine care for The Honda Session, Pro Snowboarding event, Vail Valley Foundation (2002-present)
- Official sports medicine director for the Vail International Dance Festival
- Official clinic for Pro-am Mogul mania Tour
- Official clinic for Vail Ultra 100 Endurance race
- Official on-site care for World Cup Mountain Bike Championships, Town of Vail
- Volunteer: Skiing guide for the blind, Vail Resorts