Dr. Cody Rodewald, Lead Chiropractic Physician at ALIGN Integrated Health, has achieved advanced concussion certification through the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, making him one of only four chiropractors in Minnesota with this specialized credential. The certification represents a significant advancement in local access to specialized brain injury care, particularly as concussion management becomes increasingly recognized as a complex healthcare field requiring specific expertise beyond general medical training.
The ACBSP concussion certification is a competency-based program grounded in current scientific literature and clinical best practices. The organization maintains that effective concussion management depends on mastery of concussion-specific knowledge, skills, and clinical decision-making, rather than simply holding a terminal healthcare degree. This distinction highlights the specialized nature of concussion care and the rigorous standards required for certification.
Chiropractors with current ACBSP credentials are trained to evaluate, diagnose, and manage concussions across diverse patient populations, including both athletes and non-athletes. In several states, including Alaska, Arizona, and Ohio, legislation already recognizes ACBSP-certified chiropractors as qualified providers for concussion diagnosis, management, and return-to-play decisions. This legislative recognition underscores the growing acceptance of chiropractors with specialized training as integral members of concussion care teams.
Dr. Rodewald's certification reflects his commitment to providing high-level, non-pharmaceutical, and patient-centered concussion care to the Lakeville and greater Twin Cities communities. "Concussions affect far more than just athletes," said Dr. Rodewald. "They impact students, parents, professionals, and everyday people. I'm passionate about helping our community understand concussions and recover properly using evidence-based, natural approaches that support the brain and nervous system."
Through ALIGN Integrated Health, Dr. Rodewald focuses on helping patients recover from concussions safely and effectively with individualized care plans rooted in current sports medicine and neurological research. The practice's approach emphasizes evidence-based protocols that align with the latest understanding of brain injury recovery, offering community members access to specialized care that was previously limited in availability. More information about the practice is available at https://alignlakeville.com.
The certification's rarity in Minnesota highlights both the specialized training required and the potential gap in access to concussion specialists across the state. With only four chiropractors holding this credential statewide, Dr. Rodewald's achievement represents an important expansion of specialized concussion care resources in the region. This development comes as awareness grows about the long-term implications of concussions and the importance of proper diagnosis and management for optimal recovery outcomes.
