Texas Tigers Sports Medicine

"What is an Athletic Trainer?"

Athletic trainers are health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, recognition, clinical diagnosis, emergency care and management, as well as rehabilitation of injuries that result from physical activity. As part of a complete health care team, the licensed athletic trainer works under the direction of a licensed physician and in cooperation with other health care professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents.

Students who want to become athletic trainers must earn a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, and nutrition.. Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences.

Athletic training is not the same profession as personal training. And licensed athletic trainers work with more than just athletes - they can be found just about anywhere that people are physically active.

To become certified athletic trainers, students must pass a comprehensive test administered by the Board of Certification. Once certified, they must meet ongoing continuing education requirements in order to remain certified as well as meeting their state requirements to maintain licensure to practice.

"Mission Statement"

Here at Texas High, we believe that physical activities are a vital part of a young person's growth and development. Unfortunately, injuries are an inherent part of physical activity. When a young individual has dedicated much of their personal identity to maintaining a competitive standard in activity and then is no longer able to perform those activities; they can become physically and emotionally distressed. As athletic trainers it is our job to work hand in hand with athletes to rehabilitate them to a return to activity level consistent with or better than they previously achieved. We strive to return our patients to activity as quickly but safely as possible for each individual.

"Treatment/Rehab Times"

Treatment/Rehab times are from 7:00-8:10 a.m. during football season and 7:30-8:10 a.m. during non-football seasons. All treatment/rehab sessions will be held in the athletic training room. Treatments are NOT held during your regular academic class hours. If you cannot attend treatment during the scheduled times, please make arrangements with an athletic trainer.

"When your child is injured"

For injuries or illness that occurs outside of athletics related activities the student-athlete will need to notify his/her head and/or position coach and the Athletic Training Staff as soon as possible. All TISD Athletics related injuries must be reported to the student-athlete's head and/or position coach and the Athletic Training Staff immediately. Licensed Athletic Trainers will perform an initial assessment and either treat the student athlete with our resources or refer him or her to a doctor or specialist. If a referral is needed, we will call the parent/guardian or emergency contact that you have provided on the student information form. Once a doctor has evaluated the student-athlete, we require that you provide documentation from the doctor telling us the diagnosis, prognosis, activity limitations and any instructions for care. When the student athlete is ready to return to activity, we will need a written release from that doctor.

If a referral is not needed, we will inform the coach of the student athlete's status and our plans for treatment. We send daily or weekly injury reports to coaches so that they are aware of the student athlete's progress and treatment. We rely heavily on the student athlete for communication to you; if you have any concerns about an injury or our treatment plan for your child, please do not hesitate to call us. When the student athlete has met our requirements for return to activity, we will notify his or her coach and continue to monitor his or her participation.

If you choose to take your student athlete to a doctor or specialist without a referral from the Athletic Training Staff, it will be even more necessary to provide documentation telling us the diagnosis, prognosis, activity limitations, any instructions for care and a written release to return to activity.