Category: Emerging Settings

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Wisconsin National Guard Medics get Training with Wisconsin Athletic Training

Article reposted from US Army
Author: Sgt. Katie Eggers | Wisconsin National Guard

From 1861 until the end of the Civil War in 1865, more than 70,000 Wisconsin troops trained at Camp Randall here in Madison. Today, Wisconsin National Guard Soldiers continue to train at the historic site in a different capacity.

The Wisconsin National Guard and the University of Wisconsin’s athletic training program have built a partnership over the past four years in which Guard medics train with University of Wisconsin athletic trainers on soft-tissue injuries as part of what planners coined “Operation Badger Medic.”

Combat medic skills are critical to the Wisconsin National Guard, an organization charged with fulfilling a key role as part of the nation’s primary combat reserve. Medics are vital to combat operations in places like Iraq and Afghanistan as well as in training environments and even when the National Guard responds to domestic emergencies here in the United States.

“Over the past 15 years medics have been trained on trauma injuries, gunshot wounds, amputations and we have sustainment training in place for those skills” said Staff Sgt. Tim Ehlers, the training noncommissioned officer with the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s Medical Detachment. “We didn’t at the time have a sustainment in for soft tissue injuries, shoulder injuries, back injuries, knee injuries.”

Guard medics who participate in Operation Badger Medic spend five days working with University of Wisconsin athletic training staff. Soldiers attend practices and clinics, observing medical interactions with athletes. The Guard medics do not work on the athletes, but they are able to practice techniques they learn on the athletic trainers they work with.

The partnership has helped Guard medics learn preventative medicine techniques for orthopedic injuries, Ehlers said.

“A lot of the injuries that we’re seeing out in the field are the same injuries that these athletes are sustaining here,” said Spc. Zachary Bornemann, a medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 120th Field Artillery.

Bornemann went through Operation Badger Medic in early November. He plans to put together a class with another medic who went through the program to help train more Soldiers in his unit.

“I really didn’t know that there was certain ways to tape ankles or knees, and not only a certain way to do it, but different ways to do it for different injuries,” Bornemann said. “That’s something I can take back.”

The program has also been beneficial for the university’s athletic training staff, according to Kyle Gibson, an assistant athletic trainer and the coordinator for the athletics portion of Operation Badger Medic.

“Athletic trainers are natural educators, so it’s great because we’re able to give back to the military,” Gibson said.

The athletic training staff also have opportunities to train with Guard medics on trauma training and managing injuries in stressful situations, he added. The UW trainers have also participated in U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) training for Wisconsin Army National Guard medics across the state at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.

“You can imagine 80,000 people looking at you trying to do an evaluation,” Gibson said. “It’s a pretty stressful situation. How do you handle that stress and still perform your job?”

Alyson Kelsey, an assistant athletic trainer with the University of Wisconsin, agrees that the program has had a positive impact.

“I’ve seen [the program] grow in the last four years, and I think each year it’s gotten better,” Kelsey said. “I think we’ve been able to create a program that’s beneficial for both the athletic trainers growing as professionals, as well as all of the medics that come through the program.”

More than 30 Wisconsin National Guard medics have participated in Operation Badger Medic to date, with more scheduled to go through the training this winter. Both the UW athletic training staff and Guard medics gave the program positive reviews.

“I think it’s a really great program, and it’s important for different areas of healthcare providers to learn from each other,” said Margaret Pelton, an assistant athletic trainer with the University of Wisconsin. “I think just having that understanding and that partnership is really important.”

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Terre Haute City firefighters get athletic trainer services

Article reposted from Tribune Star
Author: Lisa Trigg

Pushing, pulling, dragging and carrying equipment are part of the regular physical stress firefighters place on their bodies as they do their job to keep their communities safe.

But seldom do firefighters have evidence-based plans to take care of their own bodies, other than wearing heavy protective equipment on the job.

That situation has changed for firefighters with the Terre Haute Fire Department due to a partnership with Indiana State University’s College of Health and Human Services and its Department of Applied Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Associate professor Kenneth Games is researching the area of tactical athlete health and safety to help firefighters and others in public safety and military service reduce and prevent injuries.

“It’s about the overall health and well-being of the person, not just the job they do,” Games said this week while talking about the Neuromechanics, Interventions, and Continuing Education Research Laboratory, which opened Sept. 11 at ISU.

The NICER lab is where THFD firefighters are already going, voluntarily, to work on physical issues they have, or to avoid future issues.

The lab operates as a clinic four hours each day. It also serves as a classroom for the athletic training program at ISU.

The program is offered free to city firefighters. It has received a grant from the Center for Community Engagement at ISU, and Games said he plans to apply for other federal funds to expand the program to other public servant groups.

“There is tremendous physical and mental toll taken on public servants, but they often don’t take the time to stay fit,” Games said.

Many firefighters start their careers in good physical condition and have been high school or college athletes, he said, so they might be used to running or lifting weights. The tactical athlete approach is different and includes flexibility and other functional movements that firefighters do on the job.

Games said much of the research done by the program has examined the relationship between firefighter personal protective equipment and musculoskeletal injury.

While personal protective equipment has greatly reduced exposure to occupational hazards in firefighting such as smoke and flames, it has had the unintended consequence of increasing musculoskeletal injuries due to the increased weight loads now placed on firefighters.

Games directs the Tactical Athlete Research and Education Center at ISU, which is a collaboration between researchers and public or private agencies such as the Rural Health Innovation Collaborative.

While some fire departments in larger metropolitan areas may hire athletic trainers to work with firefighters and police on physical fitness, Games said, smaller departments such as Terre Haute’s usually do not have the funding to invest in such programs.

“Our long-term vision is to make ISU and the city a national model for this type of program,” Games said.

For more information on TAREC, go online to www.indstate.edu and search for Tactical Athlete.

Lisa Trigg can be reached at 812-231-4254 or at lisa.trigg@tribstar.com. Follow her on Twitter at TribStarLisa.

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Fairfax police athletic trainer lauded upon retirement

Article reposted from Inside Nova
Author: Inside Nova

Within the Fairfax County Police Department, Nancy Burke is known as the lifesaver who brings officers back to work after injuries they have sustained on and off the job. Nationally and internationally, she’s known as the woman who designed the first law-enforcement athletic-training program for a police department at the local level.

In the first six months of 2017 alone, she received nearly 400 visits and provided 2,300 treatments to agency employees.

Twelve years ago, Burke worked with a commander at the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy to launch the athletic-training program, which she based on Division I sports. While several federal agencies have athletic trainers, Burke’s program was the first of its kind in the U.S. to make professional services available full-time and at no cost to officers serving at the local law-enforcement level.

Burke previously worked as an athletic trainer for Fairfax County Public Schools, retiring in 2005 after 29 years. Officers working overtime assignments at local high-school ball games took note of her expertise and turned to her regularly for advice. She began to realize that resources available to high-school athletes were not as easily available, affordable and accessible to men and women whose jobs depend on their physical and mental well-being.

“We have to protect our people,” she said of the officers. “We have to take care of them.”

The initial goal was to reduce medical costs by 10 percent and decrease the time an officer or employee was out of work after an injury. According to Burke, the department achieved and surpassed that goal, reducing medical costs for academy recruits by up to 90 percent. Officers have been returning to full-duty status in much less time than ever before, police said.

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That’s a Job: The South Metro firefighters’ athletic trainer

Article reposted from 9News
Author: Kyle Clark

For the first time in 41 years, “Greek” won’t be running onto the field to care for an injured Denver Broncos player.
Steve Antonopulos, the man known as “Greek,” was promoted to the team’s director of sports medicine.

Vince Garcia will take his spot sprinting on field.

This story is not about “Greek” and it’s not about Garcia, but it IS about a job that Garcia previously held… a job we never knew existed.

Before becoming the Broncos trainer, Garcia was the head athletic trainer for South Metro Fire Rescue.

Yeah, we know?! A fire department has an athletic training staff?

“What Vince started here, we try and incorporate a sports medicine model here, very similar to how a traditional athletic training room works in the college or professional setting,” said South Metro Fire Rescue Wellness Director Trae Tashiro. “When I graduated from college, the only thing on my radar was athletics. I thought that would be my career for life. I worked with the Denver Broncos and from the Broncos, I went on to work at the University of Colorado with the Men’s basketball team.

Tashiro is living his dream job, even though it’s not in athletics.

“We treat and have a rehab center for all of our firefighters to take advantage of, where they can come and do all of their physical therapy from any injuries they sustain, personal or at work,” said Tashiro. “We also have a fitness side of things.”

Tashiro is based in the basement of South Metro Fire Rescue headquarters in Centennial.

“Full time, we have two athletic trainers, including myself. And then, we have a full time, certified strength and conditioning coach. We have a part-time PT (personal trainer) that helps us out, as well as a part-time muscle activation specialist,” said Tashiro.

He gave an example of how having a full-time wellness staff can save money. Instead of sending an injured firefighter through a workers’ comp process, he detailed how the firefighter might be able to get back to worker sooner based on the time they can spend on one case. Instead of multiple hour-long rehab sessions over weeks, they can be more hands-on for longer.

“On average, I would say we see our firefighters for anywhere from two-and-a-half to three hours a day, three-to-five days a week. They’re getting more treatment time per session, but also more frequently, as well, during the week,” said Tashiro. “Since the beginning of the year, we’ve averaged about 50 treatments a week.”

He said the Denver Fire Department has a program like South Metro, but this type of care is still rare in the profession.

“Some departments do the strength and conditioning side very well, and some do the rehab side very well, but very few have both in house,” said Tashiro.

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Athletic Training Students Learn Under the “Big Top”

Article reposted from Sharkbytes
Author: Sharkbytes

Faculty and students from the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Athletic Training Program (ATP) recently participated in the experience of a lifetime at Cirque du Soleil Kurios held in Miami Gardens, Florida. With the increase in popularity of performance medicine, athletic training students and faculty were invited to get a behind the scenes look into show.

Chad Fraser, MS, ATC, head therapist for Cirque du Soleil Kurios, graciously provided a backstage tour while the performers were practicing and preparing for the show. With 18 different Cirque du Soleil shows internationally, the NSU ATP received a unique opportunity to hear from an expert in the demanding field of performance medicine. Not only did the students get a tour, but Fraser provided tickets to the students for the show to enjoy the full experience.

Feedback from NSU’s ATP students about the experience was overwhelmingly positive. Irfan Khan, Level 2 Athletic Training Student, stated, “I really liked the way that Chad takes care of his athletes. He does a lot of preventative care. It was also really interesting that he put so much emphasis on biomechanics and learning how his performers move.”

Kristin Dean, Level 2 Athletic Training Student, shared her perspective: “Being able to explore the stage and backstage tents really peaked my interest. It amazed me how much dedication, time, effort, and innovation went into running the show.”

Students also reflected on this unique work environment that was above and beyond traditional clinical experience that they had been exposed to in the past. Mr. Fraser also visited the NSU faculty and students on the Davie campus for a follow-up discussion about the performance. His insights into these world-class performers provided discussion into the need for creating therapeutic exercise programs as an athletic trainer.

Pradeep Vanguri, Ph.D., NSU Program Director, pointed out, “The NSU athletic training students were given a once in a lifetime opportunity for experiential learning under the big top. Attending the practice, the show and having the time to meet with Chad were world-class – just like the Cirque du Soleil organization.”

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Athletic Trainers on Hand for OHIO Marching 110 during Bowl Game

Article reposted from Ohio University
Author: Ohio University

The Ohio University Marching 110 is not just any ordinary marching band. Their sophisticated playing, marching and dance choreography require a unique brand of healthcare and medical treatment.

The “Most Exciting Band in the Land” will roll into Mobile, Alabama, on Wednesday, December 21, to prepare for Friday’s game between OHIO and Troy University. Besides their instruments and uniforms, the musicians will bring with them a staff of athletic trainers from OHIO’s Science and Health in Artistic Performance (SHAPe) Clinic.

According to SHAPe Clinic Director Jeff Russell, “Our band is an extremely physical organization. It’s essential that their healthcare services match their demanding routines, and athletic trainers are uniquely prepared to deliver that kind of care.”

In its fourth year, the SHAPe Clinic provides healthcare to all of Ohio University’s marching band, dance, theater and music students. Aaron Ngor (pronounced “Nor”), a graduate student in OHIO’s Athletic Training program who intends to pursue performing arts medicine as a career, summarizes his experience with the marching band this way: “Working with the Marching 110 has been an incredible opportunity. They are very talented and out-of-the-box. As a result, we have cared for some very interesting injuries and health conditions.”

The SHAPe athletic trainers—Russell, Ngor and undergraduates Taylor Hufford and Matt Flory—go wherever the band goes. Much of their work parallels that of athletic trainers in more traditional sports settings. Russell and his team set up a treatment clinic at the band’s hotel in Mobile and are accessible to the musicians at a moment’s notice. A lot of what they do is preventive, but both overuse and traumatic injuries—including concussions—are not uncommon.

“We carry medical kits and emergency equipment such as an AED with us,” Ngor said. “We have to be ready for anything.”

One example of preventive care is the SHAPe Clinic nutrition guide Russell and Ngor prepared for the band’s bus ride from Ohio to Alabama. Said Russell, “It’s not easy traveling long distances by bus, so we gave the musicians tips about healthy snacks and proper fluid intake. Following this advice makes it easier for them to get into their rehearsal routine once they arrive.”

Russell encourages fans to not miss the OHIO and Troy bands at the Mardi Gras parade and the football game, where fans will see the SHAPe team in their solid black uniforms both in the parade and on the field.

Kickoff for the Dollar General Bowl game is at 7:00 pm Central Time on Friday, December 23, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. Tickets are still available via StubHub.

The SHAPe Clinic is a partnership of Ohio University’s College of Health Science and Professions and the College of Fine Arts. The OHIO Marching 110 is directed by Dr. Richard Suk, now in his 20 th year of leading the band.

 

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Athletic Trainers Providing Cost Efficient Care for Public Safety Professionals

Article reposted from Firehouse
Author: DEENA KILPATRICK

What if you had access to a medical professional who could assess and facilitate the proper treatment for your injury? What if you could receive treatment and rehabilitation for your injury at no cost? What if your fire chief could demonstrate real savings in medical costs for injuries? An Injury Care and Prevention Program managed by a certified athletic trainer (AT) can do just that. This type of program will decrease workers’ compensation costs and lost work time while improving quality of care. The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) has added this invaluable resource to its Health & Wellness Program with evidence of substantial savings.

What is an athletic trainer?

Athletic Training is an allied healthcare profession recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA). An AT is a medical professional who works under the delegated medical authority of a physician and is an expert in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Typically, an AT is found offering their skills in the high school and secondary school setting, working with professional sports teams or at sporting events.

Recently, ATs have begun branching out into the industrial, corporate, military, law enforcement and fire department settings. ATs work on site to provide ergonomic and biomechanical assessments that aid in the prevention of injuries and will provide immediate assessment and treatment when an injury does occur. Additionally, ATs provide on-site rehabilitation that is specific to both the individual as well as their line of work.

Impact of an AT

Although the SAFD AT has only been on staff for the past 10 months, the return on investment (ROI) figures documented have been impressive. In this alternative setting, the AT has impacted the number and severity of injuries as well as the overall costs associated with workers’ compensation due to injury.

Just as athletes experience injuries throughout the course of their participation, firefighters incur athletic-type injuries that may hinder their abilities on the job. The very nature of the job entails long hours, unpredictable situations and awkward positioning at a moment’s notice without appropriate warm up. Firefighters are considered tactical athletes and, as such, must have the strength, speed, agility and endurance to complete the mission at hand. Unlike sports arenas, there is no buzzer to indicate the game is over or that it’s time to send in a substitute. Whether through fatigue or injury, a firefighter who is unable to work at full strength could jeopardize their own life, that of another firefighter, or a civilian.1

The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) conducted a national survey of industrial companies that utilize the services of a certified AT.2 The results of this survey demonstrate that:

  • 100 percent of the companies reported that an AT provides a favorable ROI.
  • Of companies that knew the specific ROI amount:

o   30 percent indicated the ROI was at least $7/employee per $1 invested.

o   83 percent indicated the ROI was more than $3/employee per $1 invested.

  • 46 percent of the companies that provided on-site physical rehabilitation indicated that health care costs had decreased by more than 50 percent.
  • Of the companies that tracked workers’ compensation:

o   63 percent reported that the athletic trainer made an impact on their workers’ compensation costs within 6 months.

o   96 percent reported that the athletic trainer made an impact on their workers’ compensation costs within 1 year.

The SAFD designed the Athletic Training program using a model similar to that of the Fairfax County, VA, Police Department’s Athletic Trainer. The department’s AT—Nancy Burke, MS, VATL, ATC—has proven that the utilization of an AT within the academy setting at Fairfax County has reduced overall medical costs by 49.5 percent and musculoskeletal costs by 86.3 percent. By treating sworn and civilian employees in a large county police force, Burke has demonstrated reductions of overall medical costs by 22.05 percent and reductions in musculoskeletal medical costs by 21.2 percent.3

Rehabilitative services

Having an on-site AT allows for immediate treatment and frequent rehabilitation of injuries. This expedites healing time and decreases the perception of pain that occurs post injury, decreasing the time that it takes to return to full-duty status. This decrease in time to return to full duty impacts the psychological well being of the patient as well as associated healthcare costs. Immediate treatment—coupled with early, specialized rehabilitation—will yield better outcomes both physically and psychologically.

In a study documenting the cost-effectiveness of hiring ATs in the nontraditional setting, it was noted that, “… workers who have suffered the trauma of injury recognize not only the physical benefits of these programs, but also the psychological effects. These programs have proven their value in increasing productivity and reducing the spiraling costs of healthcare. The initial capital outlay for equipment and facilities, in addition to the benefits and salaries of the athletic trainers, were recovered within 6 months of operation through cost savings.”4

The San Antonio Fire Department documented the initial capital outlay for equipment and annual salary at approximately $94,000. Table 1: Cost Savings details the savings documented for the year-to-date. The initial capital outlay was recovered within the first quarter, more than justifying the need for this position, and the cost savings has far surpassed any expectations for the first year of operation.

Impact on OT pay

Unfortunately, it’s not just the workers’ compensation expenses that are problematic. The lost hours and cost of back staffing add additional costs. Lost wages from possible overtime (OT) affects the employee as well.

In a study to determine the efficacy of an internal employee health program with early, in-house access to physical medicine and rehabilitation provided by athletic trainers, the researchers reported a decrease in lost work days by more than 50 percent. Additionally, the odds of returning to work within three weeks more than doubled.5

As noted in Table 1: Cost Savings, the overtime pay saved by an early return to full duty amounted to $72,312.32. The preliminary expected amount of time that each patient would be off of full duty was documented as well as the actual return date. Utilizing the number of shifts that overtime pay was not required for this injury and the average overtime hourly rate, the total savings was calculated. These individuals progressed through daily rehabilitation and were released back to full duty by the treating physician. Across the patients who were placed on light duty and utilized the ATs services, the early return to full duty was calculated at a median number of 15 shifts.

The availability of immediate evaluation and treatment benefits firefighters. Within the scope of injury treatment, an AT evaluates and treats injuries thus reducing the number of referrals. Because the AT works on site, immediate treatment is available to expedite healing time and decrease the amount of pain experienced post-injury. Furthermore, the development of a medical care plan along with the treating physician strengthens the quality of care. In an injury care model that does not involve an AT, time is lost waiting for appointments, and more money is spent within the healthcare system due to increased referrals and rehabilitation occurring off site. However, in an injury care model that utilizes an AT, the trainer refers patients only when necessary. Immediate care of the injury aids in reducing the initial inflammation, thus reducing pain and expediting the healing process. Because rehabilitation is done on site, therapy costs are removed. When the AT feels that the patient is ready, they will administer performance testing to ensure that the patient is prepared to return to full duty. This reduction in billable services drastically reduces overall healthcare costs while simultaneously increasing the quality of care.

Injuries to full-duty personnel

The final cost savings documented, full-duty injury treatment savings, is likely the most difficult to quantify. Within the SAFD model, personnel can receive treatment for off-duty and chronic injuries as well. This treatment enables them to remain full duty. In an attempt to attach an actual cost savings to quantify these injuries, we have taken the total number of full-duty injuries that received treatment and multiplied this by an average shift rate for our department plus the overtime rate. This amount demonstrates the cost that could be seen if each of these injuries missed just one shift of work.

Table 2: Full-Duty Injuries Treated demonstrates this amount. Unfortunately, this area is one that is never fully quantified due to the fact that personnel simply do not miss their shift. It is through the use of the SAFD AT that small injuries are treated prior to becoming an injury that requires time off, thereby decreasing absenteeism and increasing productivity of the department.

In sum

According to the NATA Profile of Athletic Trainers, in a patient-centered delivery system, adding ATs to the team does not cost the healthcare system money.6 Studies demonstrate that the services of ATs save money for employers and improve quality of life for patients. After the initial nine months of operation, the SAFD has documented $593,682.59 in cost savings. This amount stands to grow as word of mouth continues to spread and traffic through the facility continues to increase.

References

1 Norwood, Newman “Train like the tactical athlete you are!” Fire Engineering (12/22/2014).

2 NATA, “Athletic Trainers Provide High Return on Investment In Today’s Workplace.” Accessed Jan. 21, 2016.

3 Injury Surveillance System, Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy

4 Zimmerman. (1993) Industrial Medicine and Athletic Training: Cost-Effectiveness in the Non-traditional Setting. Journal of Athletic Training, 28(2), 131-136.

5 Larson, Matthew C., et al. “Reducing Lost Workdays After Work-related Injuries.” Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 53.10

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Athletic Trainer Plays Principal Role for Cincinnati Ballet

Article reposted from WCPO Cincinnati
Author: C.M. Tomlin

Unlike the Cincinnati Bengals, the Cincinnati Ballet does not publicly release an injury report each week.

But that doesn’t mean that on any given afternoon you won’t find Jacqui Haas, Mercy Health’s supervisor of performing arts medicine, working to get the city’s finest dancers back on their feet without missing a performance.

In a basement facility of the ballet’s headquarters on Central Avenue, Haas — herself a former dancer — functions like any athletic trainer. Performers go through the same physical therapy exercises as a football or baseball player might, and that’s precisely the idea.

“We designed the program just like an athletic training room for a college or pro football or basketball program,” said Haas, as nearby a trainer helped a dancer stretch on a table. “We see shoulder dislocations, tibial fractures, ACL tears, rotator cuff damage. If something happens during a show, you can’t call a timeout — you have to keep going. Every performance, every day is like the Final Four.”

Mercy Health and the Cincinnati Ballet partner to provide the institution’s dancers guidance, strength training and therapy when a jump or lift goes bad, which is something every dancer experiences at some point in his or her career.

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Professional rodeo cowboys can’t do without medical team

Article reposted from The Pueblo Chieftan
Author: Luke Lyons

Unlike other professional athletes, competitors in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association do not have guaranteed contracts.

To earn money cowboys and cowgirls must compete, even if injured.

That’s where the Justin SportsMedicine Team comes in.

The team treats cowboys across the country, including bull fighter Dustin Koniq, a competitor at the 56th PRCA Ram Rodeo at the Colorado State Fair.

Konig has a nagging neck injury that he has been treated for by the Justin team led by program manager and athletic trainer Doug Olle.

“They keep us going,” Konig said. “They’re our livelihood. Having them around is a blessing, they take such good care of us.”

Founded in 1980 by Dr. J. Pat Evans and Don Andrews with a sponsorship from the Justin Boot Co., the team was created to provide mobile athletic training and medical treatment at rodeos across the nation.

Now, the Justin SportsMedicine Team travels to 125 events each year, including the Colorado State Fair.

Olle, who has worked with the team since 1992, has treated other professional athletes and high school athletes, but said he wouldn’t give up working for Justin SportsMedicine.

“I enjoy the heck out of it,” Olle said. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything.

Olle said the family atmosphere and camaraderie is the driving force of his work.

“We’re a family and it’s a family sport,” Olle said. “Everyone is down to earth and grounded. I get to meet some incredible people. It’s a pretty good deal.”

By partnering with local athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons, family practitioners, pharmacies and even gynecologists, the Justin SportsMedicine Team provides free treatments to PRCA competitors.

Physicians and trainers treat various injuries including dislocated joints, lacerations, broken bones and even serious injuries involving head trauma and spinal damage.

The team also provides preventative services such as stretching and taping.

“Friday, myself or my staff touched 31 different body parts,” Olle said. “Sunday, we did about 24. That’s me or my staff, stretching, taping, hot pack or evaluation pre-rodeo, during or post-rodeo.”

The spontaneity of the job has become normal to Olle, who said no day at work is ever the same.

“I tell people all the time, my job can go from paradise to hell in one second, he said. “It can get pretty hairy, but it’s part of the job.”

Olle works 30 rodeos a year and operates one of three Justin SportsMedicine Team trailers.

The care is paid entirely by Justin Boot Co., which also created a Cowboy Crisis Fund to help with additional medical costs.

For cowboys such bareback rider Luke Creasy, having the team is invaluable — even when they aren’t at a rodeo.

“We’re usually calling or texting them trying to figure out what we need to do,” Creasy said. “When we really need them and they’re not there, we still confer with them about what we should be doing to get the next one and figure out what we need to do. Even when they’re not there, they’re still helping us.”

Creasy said without the Justin SportsMedicine Team, his job would be a lot tougher.

“Rodeo is rough,” Creasy said. “Our bodies feel it, we’re going to rodeos every day for weeks on end. Without them to take care of the things that are bugging us, we couldn’t perform effectively or at all most of the time.”

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Athletic Trainer joins Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets staff

Article reposted from Virginia Tech
Author: Shay Barnhart

Calleigh Fangmeyer has joined the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets as a certified athletic trainer.

“This is the first time the Corps has had an athletic trainer, and we are delighted to welcome Calleigh as a partner with our team,” said Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, commandant of cadets.

Cadets engage in a range of activities that include military drill practice, work on the corps’ obstacle course, weekly physical fitness sessions, and, for first-year cadets, two 13-mile Caldwell Marches.

Plus, an important piece of the cadet experience is an emphasis on lifelong wellness, Fullhart said.

Fangmeyer is an employee of Carilion Clinic’s sports medicine program and a donated service provider to the corps. She will provide consulting and assistance to cadets, work with the cadet EMT group, and advise the staff.

She earned her bachelor of science in athletic training from James Madison University in 2014 and her master of education, health education, from Boston University in 2016.

“Working with the students in a military-like training environment is a unique setting for a certified athletic trainer. I am excited to start the athletic training program for the corps and to be a part of such a motivated, loyal, and respectful group,” Fangmeyer said.

“My goal is to demonstrate the role and professional responsibilities of a certified athletic trainer; to provide safe and effective health care through prevention strategies, clinical evaluation, and diagnosis of both acute and chronic injuries; immediate and emergency care, wellness protection and well-being; and treatment, rehabilitation, to enable a safe return to full performance for each cadet.”