Kristian Frantzen continues to have an impact in the sports community except this time as a chiropractor working at the Satori Integrative Health Centre.
The one-time national level rugby player is now working alongside former B.C. Lion Sean Graham who opened the Steveston practice several years ago.
“It’s allowed me to stay involved in sport by helping out and treating B.C. Lion (players) and other sports teams in and around the Lower Mainland,” explained Frantzen.
“I have a focus in health maintenance and optimization. My favourite part about being a chiropractor is being able to spend one-on-one time with patients, help them through their bone, joint and muscle issues or injuries, and being able to provide health and wellness advice to anyone no matter of age, or current fitness or health status.”
Franzten came through the powerhouse rugby program at McRoberts secondary where he developed a passion for the sport. He graduated in 2003 and enrolled at the University of Victoria, solely as the next step in his rugby career.
He went on to represent B.C. at the U20 and senior levels. An injury cut short a trial for the national U21 team. It was the latest health setback that would eventually fade his dream of one day wearing Canadian colours. Instead, Franzten looked for other long term options to stay involved in the sport.
He shifted his studies from human kinetics to recreation and health education. It was during this time, Franzten got to work and live in Wales as a summer program instructor for children with disabilities. He later received an opportunity to intern with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“I went over not knowing what to expect, but was able to collaborate with the International Academy of Sport and Sport Technology, VANOC and many other of the 23 international sporting federations and 20 international organizations linked to sport,” Franzen said.
His rugby career also received a boost when he played for Stade Lausanne and was eventually offered a short term contract with the club’s premier team in the Swiss Ligue Nationale “A” until his term with the IOC was finished.
Franzten returned home and was hired as the inaugural Summer Program Director for the Richmond Olympic Oval prior to the 2010 Winter Games. He was responsible for developing many of the summer programs that became the foundation of what the facility offers today.
“I always felt that I wanted to pursue the medical side of sport, rather than the managerial/business side,” Franzten continued. “I met with Sean to pick his brain about the profession and decided that I would pursue my doctorate of chiropractic.”
He left his job at the Oval to return to UVic and obtain pre-requisites for American Chiropractic Schools.
Franzten had a rugby scholarship offer for a school in Iowa but turned it down to attend the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto. Over the next four years he earned his doctorate degree and still found the time to work as a personal trainer.
His hard work and dedication earned him the 2013 International Federation of Sports Chiropractic student scholarship.
“I believe that it is never too late to start taking charge of your health. I offer a diverse clinical approach, combining chiropractic care, exercise therapy, sports rehabilitation, functional assessment and training,” added Frantzen who is level one certified with the Titleist Performance Institute.
To book an appointment with Franzten visit www.satoriintegrativehealth.com or call 604-274-7224.
