Athletic trainers are vital to the health and well being of athletes. All athletes, no matter what level of participation, have come to rely on athletic trainers for treatment of their injuries and ailments. Although athletic trainers play such an important role on and off the field, many people have trouble understanding their responsibilities and functions.
Athletic trainers’ specialties include injury prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. They’re in the training room with the athletes clearing them to play, the first ones on the field when a player goes down, and the one nursing the athlete back to his or her full playing potential. It’s critical that school boards, administrators, coaches, parents, and the general public understand the valuable role of the athletic trainer and the appropriate medical care services they provide. These include overseeing general care of student-athletes, coordination of care with teachers and other administrative staff, directing preventative care for a wide range of injuries, providing referrals and expediting medical care for injured athletes, and much more.
Nicole Spaulding, MSM, ATC, NHLAT, CES, CPT-NASM is the Director of Athletic Training at Access Acceleration. She oversees the athletic training program at Access, which provides AT services to eight Seacoast area high schools. Spaulding says it’s important for parents, coaches and others to understand the crucial role athletic trainers play.
“It shouldn’t be a luxury to have an AT in a high school. It should be a necessity. ATs play a crucial role in the overall health and well being in all athletes,” she said.
Dr. Kevin Heaton oversees the Athletic Training Program at Access Sports Medicine and he agrees.
“Athletic trainers are an invaluable asset to any school or sports program. They are the initial point of contact after injury, help triage injuries appropriately and assist in rehabilitation after injury. At Access Sports Medicine, we are extremely proud of the services our Athletic Trainers provide to the community,” he said.
To learn more about Access Sports Medicine’s Athletic Training program click here.
