Circle of Care –
The TEAM SPORTS MED approach
By Julie Slifka, AT, Harbor Springs Clinic,
and Stacey Ostrowski MS, AT, Cheboygan Clinic
In addition to the strength coaches in the weight room at the schools, our Athletic Trainers (AT) provide pre-activity care including taping, blister care, and stretching along with injury evaluations, game coverage, rehabilitation, and other treatments so athletes can return to play safely.
Together, the Athletic Trainers and strength coaches are able to work together to provide complete care for the athletes. When an injury occurs, our Athletic Trainers will assess the athlete, note any areas needing improvement, and contact the strength coach to devise a plan in the weight room so the athlete can return to playing quicker, stronger, and reducing chance of re-injury.
On the other side of the spectrum, if the strength coach is putting an athlete through a workout and the athlete is favoring or complaining of an injury, they will refer the athlete to the athletic trainer to be assessed and treated allowing the athlete to prevent any further injury. If a serious injury occurs, the athletic trainer would refer the athlete to his/her physician, and if physical therapy is prescribed, our physical therapist and sports medicine staff would work with the athletes to return them to action.
As a team, the strength coach, athletic trainer, physician, physical therapist, and coaches are all in communication and working close together for our athletes.
Charlevoix, Petoskey, Indian River, Harbor Springs, and Cheboygan are all schools that have athletic trainers from Sports Medicine Center working to help keep student athletes healthy and off the sidelines. Athletic Trainers’ provide formal rehabilitation at the clinic during morning hours and then provide after school emergency medical care during practices and games. The main responsibilities of our athletic trainers are listed below:
– Prepare student athletes for practice or competition including taping, bracing, wrapping, or padding.
– Evaluation of injuries to determine proper management and /or possible referral to a doctor or specialist.
– Communicate with parents, coaches, physicians, and school administrators
– Assist coaches and athletes with conditioning programs during the season and off season, nutritional information, flexibility and strength training programs, as well as injury prevention techniques.
– Provide educational in-services for the community, co-workers, and sports teams.
Our athletic trainers are available after school Mondays through Thursdays from 3-6pm, and at most home sporting events including the middle school. Our athletic trainers and strength coaches are a great team at high schools making sure the athletes’ are stronger, safer, and ready for competition.
