So far, my favorite part of clinical experience has been getting to know the athletes and getting to work so close with the athletes. I love this part the most because i myself am an athlete. I understand the struggle of playing a sport in college, which allows for me to connect with the athlete I am treating on a deeper level. I also think that it makes me give better treatments because I truly understand how beneficial and helpful a really good treatment is for the athlete. It is special for me because not only do I socialize with these athletes in the AT room, but I also talk to them out of class. They thank me for all the help I give them in and out of the AT room, which means a lot to me.
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My clinical question was inspired by the need to know if dual sport athletes are more or less likely to tear their ACL. What makes a dual athlete more or less likely to have an ACL tear? So, we were curious to know if the likelihood of a tear was greater if the sports targeted mainly the anterior chain or mainly the posterior chain v.s. if the sports targeted both anterior and posterior chain.
I selected Katie and Sam to be my teammates because they are both brilliant, hardworking ladies and I could not imagine having greater classmates to work with! As a group, we decided to ask three people to be apart of our team: Josh Bullock, Brianne Kilbourne, and Kris Johnston. We picked these three people because each person brings a different and important aspect to the team. Bullock is a strength coach and is a good source to discuss the ideas of how each sport affects the chain development. Brianne is a research wizard! We know that she knows her info and could help us find really good research to help us discover the answer to our question. We also asked Kris to be on our team because he reads TONS of books and research and we know he would be a good source to go to for any question or confusion we had. As we embark on answering our question, I look forward to getting to research and find the answer! I know it will probably be challenging, but I know that a good challenge is always fun! It feels really good to be back with my primary preceptor for clinical experience! I feel a lot more comfortable when I need to ask questions because I have had time to build a better relationship. Clinical experience is also better for me. Modalities has helped me a lot because I have a better understanding of why/how treatments are given. I know what questions to ask and I know how to answer questions when I am asked.
My most challenging class so far would have to be Lower Extremity. I find it challenging because not only am I learning new anatomy, but I am also learning new special tests, neurological test, and ways to palpate. This class has so much to take in all at once, and it is very difficult to do while taking anatomy (which starts with upper body) and all my other AT courses. However, I am coping by realizing that by putting in the work now, I will benefit more when we get to lower body in anatomy. I am trying to improve my time management and study habits to give myself a better learning environment. I have also noticed that being more attentive in classes has helped me tremendously in learning the material.
Everything I am currently learning in modalities is greatly used when I am in the clinic. Since starting modalities, I now understand and am comfortable setting up stim treatments. Also, I now understand why certain currents are used in certain situations!
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