My love for athletics has inspired me to work with athletes to insist them in becoming the best student -athletes possible. My philosophy on Athetic Training is developed from four main ideas based on past and current experiences. My beliefs along with my experiences have assisted me in creating four main goals in my philosphy which are:
1. To treat all of my patients no matter what race, sex, age, sport, sexual orientation, etc. with the utmost respect and to do all that I can to make sure that they are getting the most effective and beneficial treatment available.
2. To use rehabilitation as treatment rather than just a tape job or e-stim.
3. To maintain a clean and organized state of the art facility that is welcoming to patients.
4. Continue with education not only in athletic training but in strength and conditioning, nutrition, EMT, and all other entities surrounding the student-athlete.
I believe that in some athletic training facilities some sports are treated differently than others. For example, football players tend to rule the athletic training room in many facilities. These football players may recieve treatments that athletes from other sports teams do not recieve. For example, a cross country runner being denied to use the ice bath because the football players get first priority. In my facility, all athletes of all sports will be treated respectfully. Not only will they recieve respect, but they will recieve the best treatment possible.
Many athletes will come to the training room and complain of ankle pain. An athletic trainer most of the time may be quick to wrap it up in tape and let them go. A football player complaining of a tight back may recieve e-stim to the lower back and is sent off to practice. Another player may have tight quad muscles. The AT may give them heat and send them on their way. The problem with this is that the athletes may recieve temporary relief, but the problem that they were suffering with most likely still remains and they will be back the next day. In my athletic training facility rehabilitation will be a big part of treatment. The goal of being an athletic trainer is to return the patient to full participation, not temporarily but in the long run. My treatment protocol will educate the athletes on their current status, why they are there, and what we can do to get back to 100%. Tape, heat, and e-stim will also be used but getting down to the physiological, functional, and/or structural abnormalities and strengthening the areas of deficiencies are my first priority.
A messy athletic training facility says alot about the athletic trainer. It says that they are irresponsible, unproffessional, messy, unorganized, etc. An athletic training facility that is not properly maintained is also uninvitinig to the patients. I want to have a facility that will be safe, sanitary, functional, and welcoming to all guest. No patient should have to worry about tripping over wires or slipping on water or ice. Your working environment should be an area that you want to work in. I take pride in cleanliness and organization and it will truly show in my facility.
Continuing education is a big part of my philosophy because the world of athletic training is changing daily. It is essential that an athletic trainer stays up to date with not only athletic training continung education but other aspects of athletics as well including nutrition, strength and conditioning, EMT, etc. The next best thing such as kinesiotape can be invented tommorrow and if one does not research and read continously then they are putting not only themselves but the patients at a big disadvantage. I plan on staying ahead of the game and up to date with continuing education.
In conclusion, I truly believe that these four main goals will help me to be very successful assisting great student-athletes.
