When you hear the words, Athletic Trainer, it’s no surprise that many people envision the person wearing khakis and a fanny pack running out on the field during a football game when someone gets injured. That is true, athletic trainers are most known for their involvement with sports teams at all levels. But they do so much more than that! You may not realize this but Athletic Trainers work in many different settings to ensure athletes, employees, and the general public stay injury-free. March is National Athletic Training Month and to honor all of our Certified Athletic Trainers, let’s learn a little more about their vital role.
What is an Athletic Trainer?
Certified Athletic Trainers (ATCs) are healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, evaluating, managing, and the rehabilitation of athletic and other orthopedic injuries. ATCs provide the link between the medical community and individuals who participate in all types of activities, including sports. More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers hold at least a master’s degree. This profession is often confused with personal trainers so it’s important to understand the important role both play in someone’s health and fitness.
Where can you find Athletic Trainers?
Athletic trainers work in quite a few settings, including some you may not expect:
- Colleges and high schools
- Clinics and hospital settings
- Factory, occupational, and industrial settings
- Working with professional and semi-professional athletes including NASCAR and rodeo
- Treating performing artists including Cirque du Soleil performers
- Law enforcement and government agencies like NASA and the Pentagon
- Medical equipment sales
- Military support at home and overseas
What do Athletic Trainers do at LSTC?
The certified athletic trainers at LSTC help our patients complete their rehabilitation safely. They work directly with the physical therapist to ensure that we customize each patient’s plan of care to help them progress, recover, and get back to the sports and daily activities they love. For athletes, our ATCs put them in modified ‘game time’ scenarios that target those positions and movements that an athlete needs to perform to complete successfully. These may include the following:
- Sports-specific training and agility training
- Plyometrics
- Stability and core strengthening
- General endurance
- Concussion Management
As you can see, the athletic training community plays a vital role in a variety of settings. Their knowledge of the body, its mechanics and how it should move enables them to help rehabilitate patients back to optimum activity.
As March is National Athletic Training Month, let’s thank these incredible people that help us get back to doing what we love!
If you want to learn more about LSTC’s Certified Athletic Trainers and find out how they can help you get back to the activities you love and need to do, call Loudoun Sport Therapy Center TODAY at 703-450-4300!