Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who render service or treatment, under the direction of or in collaboration with a physician, in accordance with their education, training and the state's statutes, rules and regulations. As a part of the health care team, services provided by athletic trainers include primary care, injury and illness prevention, wellness promotion and education, emergent care, examination and clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions.
What services does the athletic trainer provide at UHS?
At UHS our athletic trainer works in collaboration with our providers to provide short-term treatment, management, and care of a variety of injuries and conditions.
Services include:
- Casting and bracing
- Cupping and other soft tissue mobilization modality application
- Rehabilitation programming and progressions
- Concussion management
- Manual therapies and soft tissue techniques used to treat musculoskeletal pain and disability
Treatment can include management of bruises, strains and sprains, fractures and dislocations, acute and chronic injuries, torn ligaments, and cartilage injuries.
Some of these injuries may require surgery and referral to surgical specialists which can be coordinated by your sports medicine physician.
Most common non-surgical or conservative treatments recommended for sports injuries include:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) therapy:
- Rest: Avoid activities that may cause injury.
- Ice: Ice packs can be applied to the injury area. Apply over a towel to the area for 15–20 minutes several times a day. Do not place ice directly on skin.
- Compression: Compression to the injured area may help reduce swelling. Elastic wraps, air casts and splints can accomplish that.
- Elevation: Elevate the injured part above the heart level to reduce swelling and pain.
- Activity modification:
- Participate in activities below your pain threshold.
- Avoid activities that provoke pain.