BY RANDY SCHULTZ—
Ice Hockey is one big reason why Dr. Mark Van Volkenburg is in the Chiropractic field today. He is currently a chiropractor for the Lockport Chiropractic Group located in Lockport, NY.
Growing up Van Volkenburg always had a passion for hockey. He also knew at a young age that he wanted to be in the health care field.
He just didn’t know doing what. But more on that later.
“I began playing hockey at the age of four down at Sabreland (today known as the Hockey Outlet Ice Complex in North Tonawanda, NY)” remembered Van Volkenburg, a native of Buffalo. “I played for the Wheatfield Blades organization.
“I was originally a forward. But one of my coaches, Steve Ferrentino, had me switch to defense. It was the best move I could have made. He was my hockey coach for six of my years with the Blades.
“Steve had quite an impact on my hockey career. He had a wealth of knowledge about hockey.”
Van Volkenburg had quite a distinguished career in hockey while growing up. Besides playing for the Blades organization, Van Volkenburg played high school hockey for Cheektowaga Central High School. He played on teams that won three consecutive “Super Sundays” in Buffalo. He also played on teams that were two-time finalists at the New York State level.
But along with the success Van Volkenburg and his teammates were experiencing, injuries began to pile up.
“While playing hockey, I was usually on the ice five to six times a week,” recalled Van Volkenburg. “Sooner or later injuries were going to happen.
“I had injuries to my lower and mid-back areas. Taking over the counter medications were only masking the pain.
“Finally my parents took me to a chiropractor. Every time I went there I seemed to bounce back quicker than I did taking medications.
“It was a life-saver for me and that is what turned me onto becoming a chiropractor. And when I talked to the chiropractor he would explain to me how the human body has the innate ability to heal itself.
“It was something I understood and made sense to me. And with the chiropractic care, injuries were decreasing.”
Following his graduation from high school it was on to Buffalo State College where Van Volkenburg majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. White at Buffalo State he connected with a microbiologist and assisted him on his research. It turned out to be a move that paid off for Van Volkenburg down the road.
From Buffalo State it was on to the New York Chiropractic College where he received his degree and upon graduation was selected for the Libero A. Violini Health Center Award for the intern that performed at a high level of excellence in the area of patient evaluations, procedures and in assisting fellow interns in development of similar skills.
“I found a lot of similarities between hockey and going to school,” continued Van Volkenburg. “You had pressure on you when you played the game, and there was pressure on you when you are studying. And you have to be very disciplined in both and stay focused.”
Today, Van Volkenburg works at Lockport Chiropractic with Dr. August J. Domenico, Jr., Dr. David Lewis, Dr. Frankie Donovan and Dr. John J. Rockas.
And he still plays hockey.
“I still play once a week in East Aurora and really enjoy it,” commented Van Volkenburg, who has two daughters. “For me hockey has been a part of my whole life.
“There is something special about hockey. It is a fast paced game and is a bit physical.”
Interestingly the roles Van Volkenburg deals with have reversed. He is now dealing with hockey players as patients, including one player that many Western New Yorkers recognize.
“I treated Matthew Barnaby and his son, who also plays hockey,” commented Van Volkenburg. “Matthew was one of the more interesting athletes I’ve ever met.
“I’ve also treated other players and athletes as well.”
The Chiropractor also gave hockey credit in another aspect.
“It helped me with life in general,” concluded Van Volkenburg, who also enjoys mountain biking, snorkeling, being outdoors , playing guitar and traveling. “There is a whole different mentality in hockey. I had a lot of fun playing hockey when I was growing up.
“And I still do.”
(Photos provided by Dr. Van Volkenburg)
