Professional athletes who suffer from body and bone injuries are now turning to chiropractors for an immediate relief of their condition. Chiropractic healing is a medical system based on the theory that disease and disorders are caused by a misalignment of the bones especially in the spine that obstructs proper nerve functions. This situation is common to professional athletes in hockey, football and baseball. Many clinics are offering this kind of service but it seems that chiropractors are not only offering traditional therapy but other methods which are considered illegal.

Players of the Washington Capitals were investigated by the authorities for possible ties with a chiropractor who was arrested for steroid charges last Tuesday. The players did not deny that they have consulted and availed the services of the chiropractor but only for the treatment of their injuries. Chiropractor Douglas Owen Nagel was charged with seven counts of solicitation to deliver a controlled substance and one count of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance. Based on the investigation of the Polk County law enforcement officials, Nagel purchased at least 7 shipments of steroids and other drugs from Richard “Andy” Thomas, who was also arrested last May. Thomas was considered as the largest steroid supplier in Florida and also claimed that he supplied steroids to professional athletes in NHL which include players from the Washington Capitals and Nationals. Nagel’s orders were made between April 2008 and May 2009.

Nagel, however, denied that he sold steroids to professional players. He admitted to the authorities that the steroids were mainly for his own personal consumption since he is also a bodybuilder. But his work as a chiropractor made the investigators believe that he is hiding something. According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd they believe in their hearts that Dr. Nagel was supplying illegal drugs to someone, but they still don’t know who it is. He said that as of this moment they have not established conclusive evidence that the professional athletes interviewed has really obtained illicit drugs from Nagel.

Washington Capitals players Eric Fehr, Matt Bradley and Shaone Morrisonn were interviewed by investigators on their dealings with Dr Nagel. They described the interviews as brief, cordial and focused on Nagel. Morrisonn said that the detectives asked if we’d seen Dr. Nagel for treatment, and if he tried to give us anything, offer us any substances, and that was basically it.

For Fehr, the meeting was not a big deal when asked by the Washington Post. He was asked when his last visit to the doctor was and what was his purpose. Fehr believes that the investigation is not focused on the players but on the activities of the doctor. “I think they were more interested in what the doctor’s done and who he’s giving stuff to, so I don’t think it was the players that were really targeted. I didn’t really have anything to hide, so I had no problem going in there and telling them my side of the story,” said Fehr. Bradley admitted that he visited Dr Nagel a dozen times but did not notice anything unusual about the doctor or his business. His last consultation with the doctor was last year. “He was a good guy, and like I said, I went in there for quick adjustments. I was in there probably five, 10 minutes at a time. It was adjustments and then I left. There was not much personal talk,” Bradley said.

The interview was done at a private room provided by the Capitals in Arlington practice facility. According to head coach Bruce Boudreau, assistant coach Dean Evason and trainer Greg Smith said that the investigators had no reason not to believe players since they have said that they have no connection to or knowledge of the alleged steroid dealings of the chiropractor. This was also confirmed by Judd saying that the meeting with the Capitals players was very cooperative and forthright. “They didn’t relate anything to us we didn’t expect to hear. Having said that, we’d have been shocked if one of them said, ‘Oh yeah, we all did steroids,’” said Judd.

Dr. Nagel is now in the custody of Fairfax County Adult Detention Center pending his bond hearing on Thursday. According to Polk County investigators, they still have to gather more information on this case to determine the extent of involvement of other professional players and if the doctor really prescribed steroids to athletes.

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