The United States women’s national soccer team has announced that La Cañada Flintridge resident Rion Zimmerman will serve as the sole chiropractor for the USWNT delegation as it heads to the 2023 FIFA World Cup, regarded by many as the world’s largest and most popular International women’s soccer tournament. The every-four-years event will be held from July 20 through Aug. 20 in Australia and New Zealand.
Zimmerman’s appointment was approved by the U.S. Soccer Federation and the USWNT. He was chosen for his experience with professional teams including the Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club. Zimmerman has worked and traveled with the USWNT since 2014, including notably in Mexico when the USA won the 2022 CONCACAF tournament, and in 2019 in France when the team won their last World Cup. Zimmerman has been working as a chiropractor in the professional sports realm for more than a decade.
This appointment with the USWNT helps round out the multidisciplinary “high performance team” which includes medical doctors, physical therapists, nutritionists, sport psychologists, strength and performance trainers, massage therapists and chiropractic care. The challenge in the long 2023 FIFA World Cup Tournament is the sustainability of each individual player through the higher volume of games and consistent travel. Zimmerman’s chiropractic care, along with all the other specialties, will help aid in preparation and recovery for the matches of the 2023 FIFA World Cup.
Zimmerman established Flintridge Family Chiropractic in 2008. As a popular chiropractor serving residents in La Cañada Flintridge, Pasadena and Glendale area, he “specializes in preventative, hands-on care with extensive knowledge related to athletes, pregnancy and nutrition,” according to a press release. “Since the beginning of his chiropractic career, Dr. Zimmerman has continued to advance his skills through post-graduate seminars and classes. The techniques and procedures that are utilized at Flintridge Family Chiropractic allow patients to experience pain relief and peak function through natural, conservative care. Zimmerman says the ‘unique part of my practice is the care for our patients. We focus on our ability to blend acute pain care with improving function and performance for every patient.’”
In addition to his work with the USWNT, Zimmerman is currently serving as team chiropractor for the Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Football Club. In 2022, he was part of LAFC when it won its first MLS cup. In 2014, he was also part of the Los Angeles Galaxy when they won their fifth MLS cup.
Zimmerman is a graduate of La Canada High School (1997), UC Irvine (2001) and Southern California University of Health Sciences, Doctor of Chiropractic (2005). Zimmerman was born and raised in La Cañada Flintridge and resides there today with his wife, Jacqueline, and their two children, Nash and Navy.
First published in the July 13 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
