Dr. Rikke Johansen
Dr. Johansen is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP). She completed the educational requirements to qualify her as a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (DACBSP) and as a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Radiologists (DACBR). Dr. Rikke is a USA Triathlon Level I certified triathlon coach and a USA Cycling Level II certified cycling coach.
Dr. Johansen is also a ‘first responder’ – a basic level EMT (emergency medical technician). Rikke wanted to experience first-hand what these men and women go through in their line-of-duty and how they potentially risk injury to their bodies. Additionally, she wanted to be better prepared for sports emergencies and search and rescue volunteering.
Dr. Johansen is certified in the Graston Technique; a superior soft tissue modality. For more information please check out the Graston Technique website.
Dr. Johansen’s continual education and certification efforts are a product of her unique dedication to staying on the cutting-edge of advances in the world of chiropractic and sports medicine. Her expertise in radiology diagnostics and sports chiropractic set her apart from other doctors in her field, enabling her to provide unique and specialized care to her patients.
Dr. Johansen’s interest in physical rehabilitation began in Denmark where, at an early age, she developed a serious dedication to athletic endeavors. Participating in a variety of sports (including European handball and basketball), she seriously injured a knee. Although her subsequent surgeries should have addressed the problems, she was told by a surgeon that she would require knee replacement before reaching age 30. Determined to prove the surgeon wrong, Dr. Johansen worked with a physical therapist and later competed on the European circuit as a junior powerlifter and bodybuilder. Driven by a determination to solve the issues she was facing and to assist other athletes in the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries, Dr. Johansen completed pre-med studies at the University of Odense; and later moved to the United States to pursue her doctorate in chiropractic medicine. Once in the United States, Dr. Johansen became a competitive cyclist, swimmer, and runner, participating in numerous triathlons and other endurance events.
In 2001 she served as the Team Chiropractor for the National Duathlon Team when they competed at the World Championships in Holland and Italy.
[After the last triathlons in 2006 (Ironman Coeur d’Alene and X-Terra Denmark) it was time to look for a new sport. The imminent knee replacement was approaching and after putting it off for 15 years (15 years filled with a lot of triathlon mileage), she got a new knee in December of 2009. Then a new hip in 2013 – and still going strong]