An athletic trainer is not a doctor*. We prevent, recognize, evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate injuries. *NOTE - we define “doctor” as any state licensed healthcare provider including MD’s, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, DMD’s, etc.
DOCTOR'S VISITS:
WATER- athletes should drink lots of water in SMALL amounts. GET YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE – DO NOT SHARE. This is encouraged to provide the best chance of preventing illness transmission. Coolers and cups are provided as needed. SPORTS DRINKS ARE OK – Gatorade, Powerade, 10K, Shakelee.
DIET- We encourage you to eat 3 - 5 times daily (NO JUNK, well OK- a treat now and then), Eat fruits for electrolytes, LIGHTLY salt food occasionally during your season.
PERFORMANCE ENHANCING SUBSTANCES (Energy Drinks, Creatine, Androstenedion, Steroids, and much more!)- these provide short term benefits (if any) and long term side effects. Talk with us about the details. Consult your physician. Some things are safe but many are proven not to be safe for teenage athletes.
REST- Your body needs to recharge and rebuild. Teenagers need more rest than most age groups. Teenage athletes really need to address this for overall health and performance. 10 hours of sleep each night is recommended!
HYGIENE- wash practice clothing and protective equipment when it is possible, after every use, use own waterbottle, SHOWER as soon after activity sessions as possible.
STRETCH/WARMUP- Be on time to practice. Do your own warm up prior to the team session if your body benefits from it. There truly is NO EXCUSE FOR A PULL!!!! If properly warmed up, muscles can engage in aggressive contraction with full range of motion without injury.
INTENSITY- Injuries can happen at ANY time but seem to occur when you do NOT concentrate and work at the intensity that your coach is expecting. Don’t lighten up unless everyone is going half speed. Go Hard, Play Hard, Stay Focused.
TECHNIQUES/RULES -Learn and use them. Sloppy technique can result in injury, especially in the weight room and when stretching. NO NHIAA SPORT ALLOWS JEWELRY!!!
MOUTHGUARDS -If required - wear it, if not - CONSIDER IT. Replace when worn/chewed. DO NOT SHARE MOUTHGUARDS! Get your mouthguard well molded so that you can keep in your mouth, on your teeth as designed. Make one or two back ups for the season. DO NOT trim it too much. An over-trimmed mouth guard could potentially be dislodged and block the airway. Consider getting a custom fitted mouth guard – it will allow greater comfort and greater protection if worn properly. The athletic trainers can help fit your mouth guard or refer you to services selling custom fitted mouth guards.
INJURY VS ACHE- Deformity? Disabled? Sleepless? blood? Sore? Learn to understand your body and know which message it is giving you. Tell coach about an injury!!! Do not leave a practice to look for an AT without talking with coach first, unless they are unavailable and injury is severe. See AT if your injury is not gone in 1 WEEK!!
ICE ALL NEW INJURIES- Ice is used for the first 48-72 hours to decrease pain, internal swelling and bleeding and to minimize damage to underlying tissues. Heat will encourage increased blood flow, and other fluids to the injured area, thus increasing pain and delaying healing.
Please DO NOT EAT INJURY ICE EVER FROM OUR BUCKETS/COOLERS!!! You could jeopardize the care of a serious injury.
BLOOD-It must be cleaned and covered immediately. Pinch a bloody nose. DO NOT SPREAD YOUR BLOOD!! Stay in one place and we will come to you. Ask a custodian to clean up any blood in the building. Bloody clothes must be treated with anti-viral solutions before return to play.
DO NOT MOVE AN INJURED PLAYER-Keep him/her down and tell coach !!
LENGTH OF TREATMENT- Keep coming to the athletic trainers until WE decide to stop.
PLEASE DO NOT TELL US HOW TO DO OUR JOB and WE WON’T TELL YOU HOW TO PLAY!! Ask us to evaluate your injury, do not tell us you need to be taped. We make that decision. Tape is not a cure all.
ATHLETIC TRAINER AVAILABILITY-First come, First served!! Evaluations are last, except for golf, swimming, tennis, and ice hockey as they need to leave the school property and have transportation concerns. Teams traveling for away games will also have priority if the bus is due shortly.
ATHLETIC TRAINING RM - IT IS Rm 147 which in the cafeteria by the salad bar.. NO CLEATS OR BULKY EQUIPMENT IN THE BUILDING! Athletes are seen “first come, first served”…sort of. If you are there just to fill coolers or get ice bags, let us know and we will you out faster.
BLOCKHOUSE NEATNESS- We have to get the Gator in and out. Keep benches and mats neatly to the side, thanks.
OUT OF SEASON ACTIVITIES-skiing/snowboarding, ATV, snowmobiles, etc are DISCOURAGED. These are high risk activities that could take you out of action and create an unhappy situation for you and your team.
NURSE VISITS are for IN-SCHOOL EMERGENCIES AND ILLNESS. School nurses and AT’s communicate well.
THERE IS A RISK OF INJURY IN ALL SPORTS; Minor/severe (sprain/fracture vs. paralysis/death), WE DO ALL WE CAN TO PREVENT. YOU COULD BE INJURED.
Water & Water Bottles
WATER- athletes should drink lots of water in SMALL amounts. GET YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE – DO NOT SHARE. This is encouraged to provide the best chance of preventing illness transmission. Coolers and cups are provided as needed.
Diet
We encourage you to eat 3 - 5 times daily (NO JUNK, well OK- a treat now and then), Eat fruits for electrolytes, LIGHTLY salt food occasionally during your season. SPORTS DRINKS ARE OK – Gatorade, Powerade, 10K, Shakelee
Rest and Recovery
Your body needs to recharge and rebuild. Teenagers need more rest than most age groups. Teenage athletes really need to address this for overall health and performance.
Hygiene
Wash practice clothing and protective equipment when it is possible, after every use, use own waterbottle, SHOWER as soon after activity sessions as possible.
Mouth Guards
If required - wear it, if not - CONSIDER IT. Replace when worn/chewed. DO NOT SHARE MOUTHGUARDS Get your mouthguard well molded so that you can keep in your mouth, on your teeth as designed. Ask the athletic trainers for help with this if necessary. Make one or two back ups for the season. DO NOT trim it too much. An over-trimmed mouth guard could potentially be dislodged and block the airway.
Performance Enhancing Substances
Creatine, Androstenedion, Steroids, and much more!)- these provide short term benefits (if any) and long term side effects. Talk with us about the details. Consult your physician. Some things are safe but many are proven not to be safe for teenage athletes.