Combining his love of sports with his love of chiropractic work, Dr. Blasé Toto has found himself in what may be the perfect job.
CHRIS KELLY staff Paul Moscatello of East Brunswick runs along the Long Branch oceanfront Sunday during the Winter Warmup Fun Run benefiting the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The New Jersey Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance and McLoone’s Pier House sponsored the event in cooperation with Jersey Shore Running Club. Next month, Toto will head to Vancouver, Canada, as a member of the USA Medical Team for the upcoming Winter Olympics.
Toto, a former East Brunswick High School football player who now operates Toto Chiropractic & Total Rehabilitation on Rues Lane, said he was honored to be chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee for a role that only 13 chiropractors have served in over the last 30 years.
“This will no doubt be the pinnacle of my 25 years in the chiropractic profession,” he said.
Association of New Jersey Chiropractors member Dr. Blasé Toto (r) is pictured with Dr. Bill Moreau, director of medical clinics for the United States Olympic Committee for training centers in Colorado Springs, Lake Placid and Chula Vista. Toto said one of the qualifications needed for the Olympic team position was to have at least five years’ experience working with a sports team. Toto has worked as a trainer and chiropractor for a high school football team and other sports teams.
Since an internship was also required, Toto applied to the U.S. Olympic Committee and was selected for a 15-day internship in 1995. He was invited back for another one in 2009. Doctors involved in this program are evaluated on their ability to work with others, as well as their technique and chiropractic skills. The more recent internship went well enough to earn him a role on the medical team.
Toto will leave for Vancouver in early February and stay until March 1.
Toto said his main job will be to manipulate spines. He noted that the athletes are very used to chiropractic care and “very attuned to their bodies.”
The chiropractors will use different techniques to keep the athletes functioning at the highest possible level. One of those techniques is called Kinesio taping, which involves the use of a special therapeutic taping to assist injured musculature. The other technique, called active release or soft-tissue treatment, is also used. A goal of the work is to correct imbalances and trigger points that develop in the musculature.
“All of it is a basically hands-on care,” he said.
In addition, the chiropractors will treat whatever injuries the athletes have. Techniques for such treatment include manipulation, icing and physical therapy. The athletes are treated twice a day. Toto said he will be stationed in the U.S. Olympic Village in a medical clinic, but he will also cover some events.
The Association of N.J. Chiropractors (ANJC) praised Toto for his achievements.
“We are extremely proud to learn of Dr. Toto’s appointment to the USA Medical Team for the 2010 Winter Olympics,” ANJC President Dr. Steven Clarke said. “His appointment is further recognition of the integral role chiropractors play in the daily lives of patients throughout our state and country, especially the numerous athletes, professional and amateur, that benefit from chiropractic care.”
Toto said he knew early on from playing football at East Brunswick that chiropractic care was important for athletes. He said he is excited to now be able to treat some of the best athletes in the world.
The role is purely volunteer.
“I am looking forward to serving my country and the U.S. athletes to the best of my abilities,” he said.