ByTAC Dr. Sol Cogan did undergraduate studies at Michigan State University and received a bachelor's degree from the National University of Health Sciences in human biology and a doctor of chiropractic degree in 1992. In 2005, Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Dr. Cogan to the Michigan Board of Chiropractic and he served as chairman of the board for seven years. Dr. Cogan is the immediate past president of the Professional Football Chiropractic Society and has been team chiropractor for the Detroit Lions since 2001. Dr. Cogan is also the CEO of HealthQuest Management, Inc., which owns and manages several chiropractic clinics in Michigan and Missouri. The American Chiropractor (TAC):What inspired you to become a chiropractor? Do you have a specific story? Dr. Sol Cogan (Dr. C): As a high school wrestler. I severely injured my back three weeks before the state championships. I went to eleven of the area's "best" doctors and was told that I would not be able to compete and possibly not be able to play sports again. As a last resort. I went to a chiropractor who assured me that I would be able to compete, and three weeks later. I was the 105 lb freestyle state champion. It was that day I knew it was my calling to be a chiropractor. TAC: What type of patients do you generally treat or attract? What arc the top live conditions you most often treat in your office? (i.e., back pain, headaches, extremity, etc.) Dr. C: We sec all types of patients, from infants to elderly, but a large part of our practice consists of athletes and severely injured people who have tried virtually all other methods of treatment with no results. The main problems we sec arc disc problems in the neck and back, sciatica, back and neck pain, headaches, and shoulder problems. We also sec many people with extremity problems and peripheral neuropathy. TAC: What are your specialties and can you tell us some more about them? Dr. C: Our practice focuses on sports injuries, sports performance, and severe back and neck issues that did not respond to other treatments, such as physical therapy, cpidurals. and traditional chiropractic approaches. TAC: How did you get involved with treating athletes? Dr. C: Being introduced to chiropractic treatment as an athlete, the treatment of athletes was always something that I focused on as a part of my practice. TAC: How is treating athletes different than treating the general population? Dr. C: Treating athletes is not much different than treating the general population. The two main differences being: number one. they arc typically in great physical shape: and number two, they respond even quicker to the different types of treatment. Additionally, if you are part of a team, you can actually see the mechanism of injury, which makes it easier to diagnose and treat the problem. TAC: Which techniques do you use and why? Dr. C: I use main techniques including, but not limited to diversify, drop, impulse adjusting. ART. super pulsed cold laser, and spinal decompression. I believe every situation and patient is different, and that a great doctor will pull from his arsenal whatever is necessary for that particular patient and that particular situation. TAC: What new, innovative technologies do you utilize in your practice? Dr. C: The new innovative technologies that we use on a daily basis include super pulsed cold laser (by Multi Radiance Medical), spinal decompression, and vibration therapy. TAC: How do you integrate the laser into your treatment protocols? Dr. C: We integrate laser into the vast majority of our treatment because we found that it helps people feel better faster, promotes healing, which allows us the opportunity to make structural changes using other techniques. TAC: How and why did you start using laser therapy? Dr. C: I started using laser therapy as a fluke really. I have been exposed to laser for mam years in the training room of the Detroit Lions. I have seen that mam patients had very good results with it. It was not until a few years ago when my best friend "s mother contacted me and started asking questions about cold laser because of the miraculous results she was having with it for her knee problem. After investigating further and speaking with the Lions" trainers, the choice was apparent to go with the Multi Radiance MR4 Laser because of the amount of use it was getting in the training room, its case of use. and the results it was producing. TAC: What arc the top three points patients need to know about laser therapy and why they arc important? Dr. C: The three things that people should know about laser therapy arc: first, it is safe and painless: second, it is effective: and third, results can often be noticed immediately. Additionally, patients should know that cold laser increases blood flow, decreases inflammation, and stimulates healing at a cellular level. TAC: With all the different lasers on the market today, how should one determine which to use? Dr. C: When choosing a laser you should consider the safety of the laser, how easy it is to use. and. of course, the effectiveness of the laser. I would recommend using a laser that you can teach an assistant to operate and be confident that they arc using it properly. You should not need an engineering degree to operate a laser and that is why we use the Multi Radiance Medical MR4 in our offices. TAC: Could you tell us a bit about HealthQucst? Dr. C: I started practicing approximately twenty-one years ago. and after five years had built one of the largest practices in the country. I had received a phone call from a friend about a chiropractor who had passed away in a small town and whose wife was looking for someone to take over his practice. I had an associate who was looking for a slower paced office and after visiting the office, it was absolutely a fit. so I purchased the office. I soon realized that it would not be appropriate to call the office Cogan Chiropractic if Dr. Cogan would not be practicing there. I came up with the name HcalthQucst. and then the offices that were opened in Michigan after that were called HcalthQucst. At HcalthQucst. we pride ourselves on providing our patients with exceptional sen ice from highly trained professionals and paraprofcssionals using state-of-the-art equipment, and our goal is to exceed the needs of each and every one of our patients. TAC: What has really impacted your growth as a chiropractor and that of your practice? Dr. C: I think what has impacted my growth as a chiropractor and my practice is really three things. First, a deep-seated passion to help people when all else had failed be- cause chiropractic was the only thing that helped me. Second, finding a mentor who lad accomplished some of the things that I wanted to accomplish. And third, keeping it simple. When you mix that all together with hard work, the results speak for themselves. TAC: How are you dealing with the current healthcare system, insurance, Medicare, cash, etc.? Dr. C: The way we deal with the current healthcare system is simple. 1) We choose not to participate in HMOs that dictate the type of care that patients need. 2) We do accept an insurance assignment for other types of insurance where patients pay for the co-pays and dcductiblcs or whatever is not covered. Many of our sen ices are not covered by insurance and we create convenient payment plans, not discount plans, to allow the patients to pay our fee for the sen ices they received over time when necessary. TAC: How did you become the chiropractor for the Detroit Lions? Dr. C: I firmly believe that luck is where preparation meets opportunity. Within a few years. I was seeing thousands of people a month, including Olympic and professional athletes from our local teams. As a result. I had an opportunity to get in front of the right person within the Detroit Lions" organization who liked me. liked the fact that we had multiple clinics, and believed in the vision we had to help the team. TAC: Any final words for our readers? Dr. C: My advice for your readers is to think big. follow your dreams, and never quit. In the words of Maxwell Malt/.. "Your subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between a real experience and one that is vividly imagined." You may contact Dr. Sol Cogan at: coganadminr/ hcaltliqucst.us
