Joel Dekanich

FNP-C, MSN, DC, MS, DACBSP, CSCS

www.dr-joel.com

Dr. Joel Dekanich is the founder of Vail Med, Inc dba Vail Integrative Medical Group. Having practiced in Vail for the past twenty five years, Dr. Dekanich has hand-picked the providers and staff at VIMG from all over North America to provide both unparalleled treatment and service. As an Ironman competitor and ultra marathoner, Dr. Dekanich treats high-level and professional athletes to weekend warriors and ‘everyday’ patients. Dr. Dekanich is a dual-credentialed board certified Family Nurse Practitioner and chiropractor and is a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (250 nationally). He 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 multidisciplinary 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 post graduate courses at multiple colleges across the country including the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He is an Adjunct Clinic Faculty of Palmer College and Northwestern Health Sciences University.

Dr. Dekanich was selected to the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) medical staff for Team USA Track & Field at the ParaPan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, 2011, Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2016 and the World Championships, London, UK in 2017.

Medical director for the Vail International Dance Festival.

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: International College of Health Sciences, Boynton Beach, FL (2015)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: International College of Health Sciences, Boynton Beach, FL (2017)
Masters of Science in Nursing: United States University, San Diego, CA (2019) (Graduated with distinction)

Certifications/Courses: Level II Dry Needling Technique (2013), Active Release Technique (ART) (Full body certified) (Upper), 2012, (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, Certified Federal Motor Carrier Medical Examiner (#9131515310), 2017, American Academy of Nurse Practitioner Certification Board (F01200378), 2020

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

Publications
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 ultra marathoner and Ironman triathlete, 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 (2012), Silver Rush 50 mile, Dirty Thirty and Bear Chase 50K ultra marathons, Ironman Wisconsin Triathlon, Harvest Moon half-Ironman, 5430 half-Ironman, Chicago Marathon, Toronto Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, D.C.), Cape Cod Marathon, Steamboat Marathon, Denver Rock N Roll 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 our on-site supervision.

Official on-site care for The Session, Pro Snowboarding event, Vail Valley Foundation
Official clinic for the Vail International Dance Festival
Official clinic for previous Pro-am Mogul mania Tour
Official clinic for previous 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

Press
Vail area doctor selected for Tokyo Paralympics
Local sports chiropractor heading to Rio as part of Team USA
Local sports chiropractor serves Team USA in Rio

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