Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Nicole Lemke

Name: Nicole Lemke

Job: Athletic Therapist for Football Alberta

Education background: Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Alberta, Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy from Mount Royal College and a Master of Science from the University of Alberta.  

What is your typical day: My typical day on the road with Football Alberta's U18 provincial team involves per-practice preparations, sideline coverage in the event of an injury and treatment time in a host clinic.  

What is your favourite part of your job: The favorite part of my job is always game day.  Being part of the team and sharing in their pre-game anxieties and post-game reactions.  

Why did you become an AT: I became an AT because I enjoy sports.  I was an active high school athlete and this gave me a great opportunity to stay involved in sport.  

What is the highlight of your career: Football Alberta takes a team to Maui, Hawaii each summer.  I have gone 8 times! It's a beautiful location and there's a lot to be said for working on a sideline that overlooks the ocean. 

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website www.eliteinjury.com  

Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Andrea Hanssen

This weeks Athletic Therapist spotlight is on Andrea Hanssen. 

Name: Andrea Hanssen

Job: Owner of Activa Sports Therapy Athletic therapist & Red Cross First Aid Instructor. 

Education Background:  Bachelors of Physical education from the University of Alberta & Mount Royal University Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy 

What is a typical day for you: During the school year I provide Athletic therapy services at a local high school and everyday can be very different.  The days go by fast doing assessments  and treatments for the students and staff,mostly the athletes that pick up injuries in football, Rugby or other school sports or activities. Other tasks that keep me busy are supervising and providing guidance in the fitness centre and assisting teachers as guest instructor of subjects such as first aid, athletic injury management, taping, nutrition and other topics.  Outside of the school you will most likely find me on the soccer pitch taking care of a variety of different levels from youth to professionals. 

Favorite part of job: Travelling is one of my passions and often times that is  a part of the job.  I have been fortunate that Athletic Therapy has taken me all over Canada, USA, Sweden, England, France and Spain. 

Why did you become an AT: I love sports and couldn't imagine doing anything else. I am happiest around a field or court, either on it playing or helping those that are. 

Highlight of Career:  There are so many great events to choose from, but one memorable moment that will always stick out in my mind is quite comical.  Dwayne Laing and I received a Red Card from the Ref (as Therapists) during a professional soccer game while on the field assisting an injured player. Apparently the he had not waved us on, however the fourth official did signal us to enter the field.  We had to leave the game. 

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and our website at www.eliteinjury.com 

Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Carrie Mussbacher

In our second National Athletic Therapy Month spotlight we feature Carrie Mussbacher. 

Name: Carrie Mussbacher

Job: Athletic Therapist, Fitness Centre Coordinator & Personal Trainer

Education Background: I completed my Bachelors of Physical Education at the U of A, and while there I became a Certified Personal Trainer through Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP). Then I completed Advanced Certificate Athletic Therapy at Mount Royal University which prepared me for becoming a Certified Athletic Therapist with CATA.

What is a typical day for you: A typical day will involve supervising the fitness centre at Strathcona High Schoool, helping with Phys Ed or Sports Performance classes who use the facility. I will do a few clinical assessments every day, as well as injury treatment/rehabilitation sessions. I am on call for any injuries occurring in the school (sports teams, phys ed classes or sports performance classes mostly). Depending on the season, I provide on-field coverage for rugby and football games and any tournaments that we host. At the end of the day I often have one personal training session/group fitness class outside of my work at the school.

Favorite part of job: I love being apart of competitive sports, the adrenaline rush you get when you run onto the sports field to help an athlete, and the feeling you get when your injured athletes return to sport and are able to compete again after sustaining an injury. I love being challenged daily, and that no two days will ever be the same!

Why did you become an AT: I was once told as an athlete myself that I would have to quit sport in the middle of the season if I wanted my shoulder to get better. I wasn't given any other options. I don't want to put individuals in that position if they don't have to be. I want to promote the idea of returning to sport/activity in a healthy way. You don't have to play in pain but you also don't have to quit. There are options for every individual. 

Highlight of Career: 

-Winning 2006 CIS National Championship with U of A Bears Soccer

-Working with the Edmonton Rush Lacrosse Team (2011-12 & 2012-13 seasons

For more information on Athletic Therapy and Certified Athletic Therapists please visit www.athletictherapy.org or www.aata.ca

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website at www.eliteinjury.com 

Ask the Therapist

We have joined YEG Fitness for their Ask the Therapist article. Here are our two most recent questions posed by readers and our answer.  

How important is stretching before exercising?

Stretching prior to training or exercise is important. What needs to be clarified is what type of stretching. Typically we see people doing static stretching both prior to and after training. Static stretching has a role but should be used at the end of a session as part of the cool down to increase flexibility. Prior to training incorporate dynamic stretching as part of your warm up. Dynamic stretching is controlled motion through the complete range. Do movements that mimic activities in your sport or training session. For more information check out our blog post Dynamic Stretching in Warm Up

What is the general time for Hamstring strain take to heal?

The average time for a hamstring strain to heal depends upon a five factors. Firstly the grade of the injury. Muscle strains are categorized into 3 grades. A grade 1 strain where there is not disability to a grade 3 which is a complete rupture, a grade 2 falls between these. Grade 1 strains typically resolve in around 1 week, grade 2 take 2-4 weeks and grade 3 beyond that. The second factor is if there is a prior hamstring strain. There is evidence showing that hamstring strains are a recurrent injury. Thirdly, the state of the body when the injury happened, fatigue and muscle imbalance can prolong the healing process. Fourth, the sport in which you participate. Any sport that involves running especially sprinting will take longer to get back to full competition. Finally, proper injury management. During the acute stage the principles of rest and ice are very important, followed by proper rehabilitation to increase range of motion, strength and functionality.

If you have a question about injury prevention, injury management or sport safety please email us at info@eliteinjury.com 

Follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website at www.eliteinjury.com 

Athletic Therapist Spotlight - Chris Kucher

Throughout June we will be highlighting a local Athletic Therapist for National Athletic Therapy Month. Today we highlight Chris Kucher Certified Athletic Therapist and Owner of North Star Athletic Therapy 

 Name: Chris Kucher

Job: Athletic Therapist

Education Background: University of Alberta BPE, Mount Royal University Advanced Certificate in Athletic Therapy

What is a typical day for you: Depending on where I am it can be anything! Field events I am there early to ensure that all athletes are prepared as best they can be, whether it is pre-game taping, running a warm up, or a quick assessment and treatment. During performance I follow the action making sure that I can see any potential injuries, or am quick to respond to any on field emergency. Post-performance client care is the name of the game, assessments treatments and possibly referrals for all those in need. Clinical days are again all about the client without the distractions of on field care. Prior to the patient I ensure that my space is clean and tidy ready for the first patient. When he or she arrives the care starts and whether it is an assessment for a new injury, or an update to an existing treatment plan the patient is number one priority. Afterwards, a quick clean up and charting all the important information from the day's appointments.

Favourite part of job: Listening to past patients pass on the some of the information I had taught them. "Athlete 1: Wow you land really loud... Athlete 2: what do you mean? Athlete 1: I used to be like that too. You have to learn to land quieter, it shows you're in control and then you won't get hurt"

Why did you become an AT: The challenge of assessment, and the stress of emergencies. Every body is different, and while two people have the "same injury" they might need different strategies to rehabilitate back to performance levels. While on field situations stress a different aspect of the system, every time you watch an on field emergency you don't know what you'll encounter when you reach the athlete, so staying alert and current is a must!

Highlight of Career: Clinically- Opening our clinic space. Which gives me an opportunity to reach more people; and the greater the reach the greater the help! Field- On mat Athletic Therapist at the World Women's Wrestling Championships 2013.

For more information on Athletic Therapy please go to Canadian Athletic Therapist Association.

Please follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website at www.eliteinjury.com

June is National Athletic Therapy Month

June is National Athletic Therapy Month, please see the press release from Sandy Jespersen, Executive Director of the Canadian Athletic Therapy Association (CATA)

National Athletic Therapy Month reminds us that we’re all athletes

While we usually think of sports when we talk about athletic activity, most Canadians engage in some form of physical activity every day. Whether it’s lifting an infant into a highchair, running for the bus, or bending to reach a fallen sock behind the dryer, we move and exert our bodies constantly. And sometimes we feel the pain from those movements.

That’s the idea behind National Athletic Therapy Month this June: an annual reminder that everyone can benefit from the expertise of Canada’s Certified Athletic Therapists. By declaring, “We are all athletes”, the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) hopes to educate Canadians who have sustained an injury to their muscles, bones, or joints that a Certified Athletic Therapist (CAT(C)) can help get them back to work and play.

 “While we’re primarily known for our role in helping athletes recover from injury faster and achieve peak performance, our skills can be used to help anyone with an injury,” said Richard DeMont, President of CATA. “Whether you’re a weekend golfer an avid gardener, or a busy soccer mom, moving without pain or discomfort is an important part of our overall health and well being.”

 Being able to translate the knowledge gained from years of treating elite athletes at the highest levels of competitive and professional sports into the needs of all Canadians makes the role of a Certified Athletic Therapist very valuable for injury recovery. 

 "For professional and elite athletes, the sporting arena is their workplace, and we treat workplace injuries,” said DeMont. “Whether that workplace is a playing field or an office tower makes no difference; we help get people back into their game.”

 From injury prevention to emergency care to rehabilitation, Certified Athletic Therapists are committed to assisting all of life’s athletes. 

For more information on Athletic Therapy or National Athletic Therapy month go to www.athletictherapy.org or www.aata.ca

We will be featuring local Edmonton area Athletic Therapists throughout the month to help you get to know your local ATs a little better.

Please follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website at www.eliteinjury.com for more information on Athletic Therapy and the services we offer. 

Becoming an Athletic Therapist

So you want to become an Athletic Therapist.  Congratulations and welcome to one of the most rewarding careers you can find. If you want more information than provided here please go to www.athletictherapy.org

The first step towards becoming a Certified Athletic Therapist is to attend an accredited institution. We have seven institutions in Canada.  University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Camosun College, Sheridan College and Concordia University all have degree programs in Athletic Therapy.  Mount Royal University offers a post degree certificate as well as a collaborative program with University of Regina, University of Calgary, University of Lethbridge and Trinity Western University.  York University currently has probationary status. 

Upon completion of your education you will continue on the path of certification.  Before attempting the national certification exam you will need to have met the following requirements.  A valid CPR-HCP certification, completed a First Responder course, have your Supervisory Athletic Therapist (SAT) to approve your application and have completed 600 hours of both field and clinical work.  

The national exam consists of two parts.  The written exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions.  The oral-practical portion consists of both field and clinical components.  During the field exam you will face an urgent or non-urgent on field scenario, a sideline return to play scenario and a taping/support scenario.  The clinical component has to scenarios, injury assessment and rehabilitation.  The oral-practical exam is marked live by Certified Athletic Therapists.  

There are 6 domains of competencies that you will gain during your education and will need to demonstrate during your national exam.  

1. Prevention
2. Recognition and Evaluation 
3. Managing, Treatment and Disposition
4. Rehabilitation
5. Organization and Administration
6. Education and Counselling

Once you have completed all these steps you will receive one of the greatest pieces of mail stating you our now a Certified Athletic Therapist and get to use the professional designation of CAT(C).

Please follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out our website at www.eliteinjury.com

The Life of an Athletic Therapist in Junior A Hockey

Thank you to Mat Bonneau, CAT(C) for sharing what it is like to work with in the AJHL. 

I’ve had the pleasure of working this past year for a Junior A hockey team as their athletic therapist/equipment manager. It’s been a lot of fun and I love being able to go to the rink every day and get paid to be there. I have a variety of different tasks but all focusing on keeping our guys on the ice and in the best condition to play that I safely can. On the equipment side, my major duties include ordering and picking up equipment, keeping inventory and sharpening/repairing skates. There’s a lot of long days and a many hours logged on bus trips but nothing beats the feeling of being at the rink on game day. Typically I’m at the rink six days a week, training camp was 2-3 weeks of being there every day so it’s nice to get that out of the way and get a bit of a break once the season starts.

Our boys practice from 2:45-4:00pm each day, so I typically arrive at the arena around 1:00pm. From there I may have a few pairs of skates to sharpen or put rivets in if I didn’t get to it the night before. I try and get water bottles filled and put out sock and stick tape for the guys. I do any brief treating and assessing before practice to see where injured guys are at and to help determine what they are doing at practice that day. This is also usually the time that guys find broken sticks or any other repairs that need to be done before they head out on the ice.

During practice I usually try and keep the water bottles filled and assess anyone that gets injured during practice. Also if we have guys that are out, I try and get them to do some exercises while they are at the rink. This is usually a good time to assess anyone that may be out with a concussion because everyone is out of the room so they can focus on their SCAT without any distractions. We have some bikes in the room as well so guys can ride when they reach that part of their return to play.  After practice I typically get ice ready for anyone that needs it. Also I usually try and the guys to put their skates out and I’ll finish them that night.

Game days run a little different. I’m usually at the rink pretty early. I’ll hang all the boy’s jerseys in their stalls to start. Then usually I’ll fill water bottles for our bench and the penalty boxes. I have to make sure the game day pucks are on ice so that they don’t bounce around too much during the game. Again I’ll set out sock and stick tape for the game and make sure that guys that are playing have their game socks in their stalls. There’s usually a couple guys that need skates done because they didn’t check them or didn’t put them out the night before so I try and get those done while the players are having their pre-game meeting. I also mix the Gatorade and make sure that the visiting team has the game sheet. It’s also a good time to check in with the other therapist and see if they need help with anything or forgot something. After the meeting the guys go for their run and after the run I’ll do any extra stretching or taping/supportive techniques that need to be done. After that’s done I set up the bench with the water bottles, towels, my medical bag and set up the pucks for warm-up as well as make sure the nets are on for both sides. After warm-up I try and help pick up pucks and do any last minute things that need to get done before the game.

The routine for road games looks fairly similar but I also have to make sure that the bus is packed and ready to go. This means making sure we have all our jerseys, socks, extra equipment, tape, skate sharpener,  medical equipment and extra sticks all packed and ready to go the night before so when I get the rink the next day its ready for the guys to load.

During the games I like to run one of the doors to keep me involved and it’s fun to do. I try and look after myself but I’ve still been hit with the odd puck or stick during games. I’ll look after any injuries that happen and deal with equipment issues like broken sticks or skates that lose their edges. Between the periods I’ll refill the water bottles and put nets on if I have time to do it. The odd time I’ll have to sharpen a pair of skates or two if someone stepped on something or slid into a post.

After games I’ll get ice ready and I’m responsible for getting the game socks and jerseys washed. If I’m at a home game I’ll usually do it the same night. After getting back from the road it’s usually pretty late by the time we get back and unpack the bus so I’ll do them the next day we have practice.

It’s been a great year so far and I really hope that I get to continue and maybe move up someday to a major junior or professional team. We have a great staff and team so it’s fun to go to work each day. Like I said there are a lot of long days and weeks but it’s still great to be able to do it at the rink.

Athletic Therapists/Trainers in Action

With the events of Monday March 10, this post will show either Athletic Therapists or Athletic Trainers at work.

Richard Zednik, throat laceration on February 10, 2008.  Assistant Athletic Trainer Dave Zenobi

Rich Peverley suffers a cardiac event on March 10, 2014.  Athletic Trainers Dave Zeis and Craig Lowry.  This article form Bleacher Report describes the emergency treatment he received.

Freddy Meyer collapses at centre ice on February 3, 2011.  Athletic Trainer Tommy Alva was first on the ice.

Alex Cobb, pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays is hit by a pitch.  Head Athletic Trainer Ron Porterfield does an amazing job of dealing with Cobb and keeping the scene clear.  Shout out to the Kansas City staff for assisting on the field.

As you can see having an Athletic Therapist or Athletic Trainer on your bench or sidelines can save a life.  ATs are not just for professional athletes.  To ensure the safety of all athletes please push your organizations, leagues and teams to have Athletic Therapists and Athletic Trainers there.  Not all teams can have team physicians and as you have seen the physicians are not the first on site.  It does not matter the sport or the level injuries happen and someone needs to be prepared and trained to deal with minor muscle injuries to severe ones such as a spinal cord injuries.

For more information on Athletic Therapists please visit www.athletictherapy.org and for Athletic Trainers www.nata.org

Please follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and for more information on Elite Injury Management and the services we offer including on site coverage at www.eliteinjury.com 

Where do Athletic Therapists Work?

In honor of National Athletic Training Month in the States this entry will be an overview of all the different areas that an Athletic Therapist works in.

Sport:
All the major professional sports in North America have associations for their Athletic Therapists/Trainers (ATs), the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB and MLS all have highly qualified personal on their sidelines to ensure the safety of their athletes.  Many of the national sport programs in Canada and the United States carry ATs to help lead their medical teams.

It is not just mainstream sports that employ ATs.  There are ATs working with major dance and performing arts groups such as Cirque du Soleil, Radio City Music Hall Rockettes, Disneyland and Disney World.  Many ballet companies employ ATs to keep their dancers in top form through rehearsals and performances.  In both Canada and the US you will find ATs working and supporting pro rodeo athletes, working in the NLL, and the PGA.  You will find that ATs work with cheerleaders, gymnasts and figure skaters.  No sport is immune to us being there to help the athletes, coaches and parents be safe.

From secondary schools to major universities and colleges ATs are the driving force for player safety.  Many are required to teach classes or do research during the day and then start treating and preparing athletes for practices and games.  For those in secondary schools they are the sole person in charge of all their schools athletes which can range in the hundreds.  Those working at major post secondary institutions might be lucky enough to have a group of assistant therapists/trainers as well as a group of student trainers/therapists.  They become administrators and teachers on top of their normal AT tasks.

Occupational:
As discussed in our post So You Only Work with Athletes Right? ATs do not only work with athletes.  Though many work in a clinical setting where they help rehab athletes from injuries, they also will treat the general public.  ATs are employed in hospitals, as occupational health and safety experts and with the military.  Many private companies are using the skill sets of ATs to help reduce on the job injuries and improve the overall health of their employees.  One of the motos of the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association is Rapid Return to Work and Play.

General Public:
The skill sets of prevention and rehabilitative care are not only for those in the areas of sport and work settings.  Anybody who suffers from a musculoskeletal injury can benefit for seeing an AT.  If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, fell on the ice and broke your ankle, strained your back shoveling snow or hurt your shoulder doing yard work, ATs will get you back on track quickly and safely.

All Athletic Therapists/Trainers are trained in the areas of injury prevention, rehabilitation and emergency care.  We work with all levels of athletes, different types of occupations, and all ages of the general public.  Our goal no matter what our occupational setting is to help you get back to either work or play safely and quickly.  We truly are AT4All.

Please follow us on Twitter @EliteInjuryMgmt and check out or website at www.eliteinjury.com

The Parent Perspective - Having an Athletic Therapist Child

So I asked my mom what its like to have an Athletic Therapist as a daughter, her response "don't understand what you are talking about half the time".  It is also important to note that she was the first person to say I was sadistic.  Apparently getting joy from healing people is wrong, her theory is I enjoy the pain it sometimes takes for the healing to occur.  I will admit I do enjoy doing trigger point therapy and friction massage is great.

I keep prying for her to explain more and this is what I got, "I still don't understand everything that you do".  Okay, apparently I need to do some more work. I have been a Certified Athletic Therapist since 2005 and a member of CATA since 2002.  So 11 years of working towards becoming an Athletic Therapist not including my first few years of university.  This unfortunately seems to be the never ending battle we as Athletic Therapists face.  Our parents don't even understand what we do.

The one thing my mom does enjoy, is that when they do have something wrong I always have suggestions as to ways to get better.  Recently she has been suffering from shoulder bursitis which was greatly affecting her day to day life.  It got to the point where she had trouble lifting her arm, sleeping and her golf game.  As much as she doesn't enjoy the hands on therapy I referred her to a massage therapist and gave her some exercises.  She hasn't tried golf in the last few months, but is able to pick up her grandchildren and gets a massage once a month.  I recently pointed out to someone who couldn't believe that I had done a similar treatment on my mom as I had on them, if I can't or won't fix my family, then whats the point.

I do know that my parents always worry about me career wise.  My dad wasn't so sure he was okay with his daughter working in male sports.  He wasn't comfortable with me being in or around the locker rooms.  My mom worries about the hours, it doesn't matter clinical or field. We work stupid hours.  A colleague who works at a post secondary college recently finished a 13 hour day on a Monday.  Think of what her Friday and Saturday are like with games.  I know my mom didn't like me leaving the rink late at night, but I did get a car starter because of that.

 No matter what happens I know that my parents have my back.  I need to do some more work on getting them to understand what I do.  I expanded my dads understanding by doing some acupressure and trigger point therapy and was able to relieve some of the pain he was experiencing.  So if you are a parent whose child is thinking of going into the field of Athletic Therapy, please encourage them.  They will endure long hours and will constantly be explaining what they do, but they are doing it because they want to help others.