The Athletic Training Room is staffed with certified athletic trainers who specialize in rehabilitation of sports and activity related orthopedic injuries. We use an evidence-based approach to the rehabilitation of sports and orthopedic injuries by applying the most current research and working with your surgeon. We work with you before your surgery to enhance the outcomes and then develop your long-term rehabilitation program designed on an individual basis, to speed your recovery. ” We are committed to returning each individual to the fullest participation level in the activity they love.

We believe each person should expect the quality of care that was once exclusive to professional athletes. Contact our staff for an evaluation and consultation about your injury.

Each of the certified athletic trainers at The ATR have been trained in various methods of soft-tissue therapy, including Active Release Technique, myofascial release, joint mobility, various manual techniques, and deep tissue massage. We help our clients; improve flexibility, range of motion, and mobility, enhance athletic performance, and decrease pain, soreness, and injury risk.

This program is designed on an individual basis to increase speed and agility, improve balance and proprioception, and decrease injury risk.  Each athlete is assessed individually with a Fusionetics functional movement screen.  The athletic trainer will take the results from the movement screen, and incorporate sport-specific drills and strengthening to encourage athletic development.

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can be caused via a direct blow to the head, neck, or face, or an indirect blow to the body resulting in an impulsive force transmitted to the head. As a result of the rapid movement of the brain within the skull, delicate neural pathways in the brain can become damaged resulting in neurological impairments. Brain injuries can lead to long-term issues including, but not limited to, memory loss, concentration issues, visual disturbances, chronic headaches, and difficulty concentrating. All athletes, regardless of sport, are susceptible to concussions. Fewer than 10% of sport related concussions result in a loss of consciousness or reports of blacking out/seeing stars. Recognition, proper response, and proper treatment of concussions when they first occur can help prevent any further injury, and even death. Recovery from a concussion will be significantly influenced by the degree of injury, in addition to the number of concussions that a person has sustained.

What are common signs and symptoms of a concussion?

• Headache or "pressure" in the head

• Nausea or vomiting

• Balance problems

• Dizziness

• Blurry or double vision

• Sensitivity to light

• Sensitivity to noise

• Feeling sluggish

• Concentration or memory problems

• Confusion

• Irritability or sadness

• Sleep disturbances

• Changes in appetite or energy levels

The Vestibular System and Concussion

The vestibular system is a sensory system in the body that provides feedback about motion, equilibrium, sense of balance, and spatial orientation. This system helps to produce reflexive movement of the eyes and limbs in response to head motion in order to properly stabilize and orient our bodies. When these reflexive movements of the eye are disrupted due to an injury such as a concussion, it can result in symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, blurry vision, and imbalance.

What is vestibular training?

Vestibular training is an exercise-based program that is used to help improve concussive symptoms associated with the vestibular system, such as balance difficulties, motion sensitivity, dizziness, and visual issues. Training can be used to treat patients with prolonged symptoms lasting longer than three weeks, but can also begin as soon as one week after a concussion is sustained. The key to providing proper care and treatment is to screen for any vestibular impairment. Therefore, a vestibular evaluation assessing eye movements, tracking, and all concussive symptoms will be performed for each incoming patient and an individualized program will be created to best suit each person for their particular problems and sport/activity.

At The ATR, we value education, and provide materials for coaches, parents, athletes, and other athletic trainers in order to encourage evidence-based practice.

Parents

The ATR is committed to the health and safety of every athlete.  We help to accomplish this by educating parents on recognition and understanding of injuries, injury prevention methods, and basic treatment information.  If you have any questions regarding a specific injury, please contact us at 515-964-5000

Coaches

The ATR is committed to the health and safety of every athlete.  We provide educational opportunities for coaches to help them recognize common injuries and conditions, provide first aid, and manage emergency situations.

If you are a coach looking to complete your authorization, need to renew certifications, or just interested in evidence-based sports medicine topics – check out the links on this page.

Athletic Trainers

An athletic trainer is an allied healthcare professional who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of muscle, ligament, tendon, and bone injuries.

An Athletic Trainer:

• The first healthcare provider at the scene of an injury

• Able to recognize and evaluate the injury

• Provides immediate care when needed

• Treat short and long term orthopedic injuries

• Create and Implement rehabilitation programs

• Provides injury prevention techniques

The ATR is staffed with athletic trainers in a private clinical setting.

We provide educational programming as a BOC provider to keep ATC's and students up-to-date on the newest information.

We provide AT coverage throughout the state and understand the importance of on-the-field experience for students.  We provide unique coverage opportunities to AT students, which seperates them from their peers

The ATR values volunteer involvement and works closely with IATS and MAATA to enhance the profession of athletic training.

The ATR values the health and safety of all athletes.  We provide certified athletic trainers at sporting events all over the state of Iowa.  Athletic trainers are specifically trained to; assess acute orthopedic injury and determine participation status, handle cardiac and respiratory emergencies, evaluate concussions and critical head and neck injuries, and work with event planners to develop emergency actions plans.  We strive to keep athletes safe and healthy while they perform the activities that they love.