Cheerleading: Sport or Not?

Dr. David Geier posed this question to me last week. The American Medical Association has decided to take the stance that cheerleading should in fact be considered a sport. As you’ll see reading Dr. Geier’s article, this stance is very similar to that of the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2012. So, what was my answer?

Check out his article… http://www.drdavidgeier.com/cheeleading-sport-ama/

NATA Hits Indy

I hope Indianapolis is ready because the Athletic Trainers are coming to take over town for a few days! As I write this early Tuesday morning, some ATs have already arrived and others are preparing to fly out from their respective hometowns. I will head for Indy on Wednesday and get in town for the Welcome Reception. Each year, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association hosts the national event in a different city. It is a time for networking, learning, and hopefully having a good time. This will be my second national convention and I’m looking forward to arriving! For all you ATs, I hope to see you there!

Legislate Big Picture

Concussion fatalities result in concussion legislation. SCA fatalities result in SCA legislation. Sickle Cell Trait fatalities result in SCT legislation. There’s a certain healthcare provider trained in the prevention, recognition and immediate care for all of these conditions. Why aren’t they legislated requirements? #AT4ALL

Athletic Trainers Have Your Back

Many people don’t fully understand what it is that Athletic Trainers do. Many days we may spend an afternoon/evening on the sideline/courtside, etc and openly it does not appear that we are doing a whole lot. Personally, I tell people that’s a good thing. Because if I’m busy during that time, that means there are injuries. We all want our kids to be safe! But what people don’t realize is that we are normally zoned into the game watching for things that most people wouldn’t pick up on. When I was in pro baseball, my dad made the comment about how I needed to be paying attention in the dugout. Trust me, it may not look like it, but in that environment you always know what’s going on! “We’ve Got Your Back!” #AT4ALL #NATM2014

Athletic Trainers Aren’t Just First Responders

So many times over the last few weeks I’ve posted emergency and urgent reasons why high schools and youth teams needed Certified Athletic Trainers. But what must be understood is that Athletic Trainers do much more than just game coverage. Athletic Trainers are responsible for the evaluation of injuries, but also prevention of injuries. I’ve said it before and I truly mean it: I would rather spend 10 hours doing preventative work to prevent injury than 1 hour of rehabilitation after an injury. Prevention of injury does not simply mean taping ankles and wrists. But evaluating movement and making changes to movement patterns. Creating strength and conditioning programs which could very well prevent an ACL rupture. Evaluating the field surface, ensuring water and Gatorade are available during practices and working with the coaches in extreme heat to prevent heat illness. There are so many things that Athletic Trainers do to PREVENT injuries instead of having to deal with the aftermath later… #AT4ALL #NATM2014

Kettlebells for Back Pain

Kettlebells for back pain? Neurosurgeon thinks so! And I agree here. In the last 12 months, I’ve taught a “Senior Kettlebells” class which I’m sure many of them have dealt with this or that pain before, during, and after class. But I’ve been told by a few of my class participants that they’ve quit taking pain medicine, quit needing cholesterol medications, and been able to do things around the house that they couldn’t do as easily before. Kettlebells truly do have a place in many rehabilitation programs.

Sport Specialization but Academic General Overview

Some believe that high school and college is all about being “broadly educated” and that’s why so many “general education courses” required. But yet, when it comes to athletics, people preach about sports specialization and that in order to be any good you can only play one sport. Sports Specialization often leads to injury, burnout, and is dangerous to our youth. Encourage a wide variety of athletic endeavors…

Where There Are Athletes, There Should be Athletic Trainers

Where there are athletes, there should be athletic trainers. In many situations, those athletic trainers are the first to respond. Regardless the injury or the setting. Athletic Trainers Save Lives. #AT4ALL

Cheerleading Associations Are Leaders in Sports Medicine

The Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association requires medical staff to be onsite for competitions. The National Cheer Association requires medical staff onsite for camps and clinics. But the research has shown cheerleading injuries are relatively low compared to other sports. Why is it these groups value proper medical staffing but other athletic associations do not? #AT4ALL#SportsSafety

What Drives Us As Athletic Trainers

This type of story right here is the motivation for what I do each day. Beth Mallon‘s life may have been drastically changed if the coach would have been responsible for “checking on” Tommy. But the team had a Certified Athletic Trainer. She likely saved Tommy’s life that day. And I understand what she’s saying in the video about realizing that she was holding his head (and his life) in her hands. Unfortunately I’ve been there in similar situations. Each day we go to work not to save a life, but to help our patients/athletes perform to the best of their ability. Sometimes our work requires we perform life-saving actions. All we can do is prepare ourselves emotionally, psychologically, and mentally for those situations. That is why it is so important that every school employ a Certified Athletic Trainer. #AT4ALL Every Athlete Deserves an Athletic Trainer.