Five Things to Protect the AT from Injury

Dr. John Gallucci discusses Five Things that Athletic Trainers can do as clinicians to help prevent injury.

John Gallucci

John, what is your Athletic Trainer story? 

Wrestler and baseball player in high school

A local PT company had an outreach AT

His family owned a supply company that connected him with PTs.

Through high school and college, he had several great interactions with ATs that lead him down that path to becoming an AT.

Five things we are doing wrong that could cause injury:

Providing self-care

  • We understand biomechanics and how the body works.
  • Use proper biomechanics
  • Appropriate nutrition

I learned this lesson about 15 years ago when I was feeling unhealthy.  I was not fit enough to get across the field and do CPR.

I could not run to get the AED if needed.  

We are givers but sometimes we as Athletic Trainers need to TAKE a little.

We never get enough sleep

  • This causes soft tissue injuries and cramping

Biomechanics

  • PNF patterns cause the clinician not to use the legs and strength of the chain
  • Put yourself in a de-risk situation
  • Outpatient is the PT of choice
  • 8-12 patient loads – consider the height of the table and use proper leverage and bracing

When I was day to day with redbull as their AT, I got there early to stretch and run to be ready for the day.

Are you ready for the demands of the day?

The Industrial ATs are teaching the workers how to be ready for the job.  Take some of that and internalize it.

Stress Causes Harm

  • Think about your responsibility each day
  • Think bout the communication chains between medical professionals
  • Make sure the EAPs are clear, written, communicated, and practiced
  • We have to make decisions as healthcare professionals that can impact the lively hood of the patient
  • Vent or decompress in a safe place – internalizing the stress is a big problem.

Proper lifting techniques

  • Lifting techniques are important for high shelves
  • Use the tools to provide the best mechanical advantage
  • Do lifting drills as a team
  • Practice lifting technique

 Time with the RedBulls:

In the 90s I had the opportunity to work with the local team that only had one AT / medical professional

Spent 7 years working in the professional soccer realm.

Became the player care coordinator

I currently help the MLS ID good AT candidates

Medical coordinator

I have been lucky to see the league evolve from 10-12 teams up to 31 teams in the next few years.

Santa Monica PEP program

Ruben Echenmendia – concussion expert

Back to Ryan Stevens and being a team leader:

Communication is key

  • Be part of the voice when we are building the processes and policies.
  • Reflection – how have you behaved, learned, and affected situations?

Jeremy Jackson

Michael MacPherson – michael@sujibfr.com

Lisette Guerrero

Dr. John Gallucci – info@jagonept.com

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