Tips from the Athletic Training Facility

  • If your son/daughter, who is participating in athletics here at Jackson HS, is complaining of pain or being hurt, there are two things you can do to help them feel better faster:  Ice the area for 15 minutes and tell them to see me, Brenda Black, the Certified Athletic Trainer.  The Athletic Training Facility is by the Boy’s Lockerroom entrance and opens at 2:05 every day.

    First, have them ice the area.  If the complaint is about their shins, Ice massage works best.  Dixie cups, empty yogurt containers, etc, filled with water and frozen, create large ice cubes and are perfect for ice massage. Wrap a cloth around the bottom after it’s been taken out of the container to hold on to while rubbing up and down the shin for 7-10 minutes. 

    For bigger areas, ice bags lain on the injured area for 15-20 minutes is the most effective.  I recommend using a bag of frozen peas or corn as a reusable ice bag.  You’ll want to mark it, so you don’t cook them later.  They are less expensive, stay cold longer and last longer than the blue ice packs you can buy.

    If you need to take you athlete to the doctor, it is VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO BRING ME A NOTE FROM YOUR DOCTOR WITH PERMISSION FOR YOUR CHILD TO RETURN TO FULL ACTIVITY.  Without this, the coaches and I MUST hold him/her out of games and practices.  The exceptions are visits to the orthodontist (unless the injury is to the mouth/teeth), dermatologist or chiropractor (if the visit is for a routine adjustment).  If you have any doubts, ask for the note – especially if they don’t say you have to rest. If they say you don’t need one, tell them the WIAA requires it.  Your doctor cannot legally fax the notes at my request, it must come from you.  Notes MUST come from a Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), Physician's Assistant (PA), and Naturopathic Physician, a Dentist or Podiatric Physician where appropriate.  This is a separate note from the one needed for attendance and/or PE.

    Lystedt’s law states that any time your child is suspected of a head injury, he/she will be taken out of activity and may not return until cleared by an MD, PA-C, DO, ARNP or a Certified Athletic Trainer (that’s me!).  Please see my website for the return to play protocol.

    Both of the last two items are true whether the injury occurs while playing for Jackson or not!!

    My job is to help keep your child participating in or returning to their activity as safely and quickly as possible.  By following these tips, you can help me help your child!  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

    Brenda Black, MS, AT,C., AT/l

    bblack@everettsd.org     425 385-7038

     

    Lightning:    If Lightning is heard or seen, all personnel are to get to safety:  inside a grounded building, car, etc., as quickly as possible and remain until 30 min after the last flash or clap.

     

    WIAA Link for Doctor Notes
    Once a Coach knows an athlete has seen one of the proscribed providers – the WIAA has added Dentist and Podiatric Doctor to the list when appropriate – there must be something in writing from that provider before the athlete can participate again.  Once Coach has seen the note, it needs to be sent/given to the Athletic Trainer.

     

  • Concussion Protocol

    Concussion Protocol

    This site includes information for parents/guardians and athletes and a link to CDC resources.  This is the CDC's return to play protocol which we follow.  

    6-Step Return to Play Progression

    It is important for an athlete’s parent(s) and coach(es) to watch for concussion symptoms after each day’s return to play progression activity. An athlete should only move to the next step if they do not have any new symptoms at the current step. If an athlete’s symptoms come back or if he or she gets new symptoms, this is a sign that the athlete is pushing too hard. The athlete should stop these activities and the athlete’s medical provider should be contacted. After more rest and no concussion symptoms, the athlete can start at the previous step.

    Step 1: Back to regular activities (such as school)
    Athlete is back to their regular activities (such as school).

    Step 2: Light aerobic activity
    Begin with light aerobic exercise only to increase an athlete’s heart rate. This means about 5 to 10 minutes on an exercise bike, walking, or light jogging. No weight lifting at this point.

    Step 3: Moderate activity
    Continue with activities to increase an athlete’s heart rate with body or head movement. This includes moderate jogging, brief running, moderate-intensity stationary biking, moderate-intensity weightlifting (less time and/or less weight from their typical routine).

    Step 4: Heavy, non-contact activity 
    Add heavy non-contact physical activity, such as sprinting/running, high-intensity stationary biking, regular weightlifting routine, non-contact sport-specific drills (in 3 planes of movement).

    Step 5: Practice & full contact 
    Young athlete may return to practice and full contact (if appropriate for the sport) in controlled practice.

    Step 6: Competition
    Young athlete may return to competition.

    Once the athlete has gone 24 hours without symptoms, Coach will receive a form signed by the Athletic Trainer stating what activities the athlete may do on what dates.   The athlete may NOT do more than watch during practice or games until Coach has received this form.  The athlete MUST have a doctor’s note clearing them before they can proceed to Step 5 and they MUST complete Step 5 before returning to competition.   Even if the doctor’s note clears them immediately, they must go through the protocol if diagnosed with a concussion.   The Athletic Trainer may override the Doctor in this instance.