If Barry Bonds and the Arizona Diamondbacks want a repeat performance of last year, they will need to demonstrate more than strong hitting, pitching and defense. They will need to stay on top of their game by being healthy.

That's why premier athletes, such as Bonds and the world-champion Diamondbacks, use chiropractic care as a secret weapon to maximize their health and performance.

"Chiropractic care is a perfect fit for baseball players," said Alan Palmer, D.C., C.C.S.T., co- founder of the Chiropractic Association for the Care of Elite and Professional Athletes, who treats players from the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, among other athletes. "Chiropractic understands how the body functions and seeks to treat the source of the problem rather than just the symptoms. This philosophy translates to top-level care for elite athletes."

Dr. Palmer is one of more than 60,000 chiropractors around the country who are providing relief for more than 30 million Americans each year. Dr. Palmer has treated Barry Bonds for the past eight years and has seen his health improve with regular chiropractic care.

While Dr. Palmer said that Bonds was introduced to chiropractic care through an injury, Bonds quickly realized that it could help prevent future injuries and keep him healthy.

"Professional athletes like Barry, who know their bodies well, realize that chiropractic care helps keep them at peak performance," said Palmer. "They're starting to use chiropractic care as a competitive advantage." Last year, for example, Bonds requested for the first time preventive chiropractic care both at home and in every city on the road, and he enjoyed his healthiest season ever.

"When you're out there and you're not feeling the pain," said Bonds. "You're obviously going to be a better player."

The Diamondbacks have seen the benefits of chiropractic care as well. Dr. Palmer has treated all but six of their players and has become a common fixture in their locker room. Players are not the only ones in the big leagues finding pain relief and wellness from chiropractic care. MLB umpires have begun seeing chiropractors as well.

"It just makes sense to take care of the officials who are as critical to the sport as the players," said Mark Letendre, A.T.C., medical director for MLB umpires and former head athletic trainer for the San Francisco Giants. "MLB umpires are finishing a game, jumping on a cramped plane and sleeping in a strange bed in a different city every three to four days for six months. Combine that with their constant bending, squatting and other distinct movements, and the season takes a true toll on their bodies."

For the first time in history, a medical director was designated to care for officials in a professional sports league when Letendre assumed his position in 1999. Now other professional sports, such as the National Hockey League, are following suit. Letendre is responsible for providing umpires with the care they need, whether they need to see a chiropractor or medical doctor.

"We take a multidisciplinary approach to umpire health care," said Letendre. "While chiropractic care certainly is not the only treatment we recommend, we do hold it in high regard because chiropractors really understand how the body moves and how to keep it in top shape."