Matt Winans, LAT Continues Education on Concussion Management and Technological Advancements to Offer Our Community the Most Up-To-Date Treatment Methods

The team at Physical Therapy and Rehab Specialists of Kenosha prides themselves on providing quality patient outcomes.  To ensure the practice is up-to-date with the leading treatment methods and technology, Athletic Trainer Matt Winans, LAT attended the National Athletic Trainers’ Association’s (NATA) Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia on June 25-28, 2014 in Indianapolis, IN. Matt joined over 15,000 athletic trainers nationwide to further his knowledge on concussion management and technological advancements, amongst several other topics.

Concussion management is a delicate process. Young athletes often receive pressure from coaches and family to return to school and sport quicker, and therefore lie about their symptoms. Due to pressures such as these, 70% of students resume class-related activities sooner than they should and thereby, increase their recovery time by 2-3 weeks. Following the NATA’s focus, Matt believes that a concussed athlete’s main responsibility is being a student. Returning to academic activities holds priority over sports and students must have the proper recovery time and school cooperation to avoid further injury. “It was exciting to hear the NATA talk about return-to-learning for the concussed athlete. As my focus has always been on safely returning the athlete back to school first and at a safe pace, it was really affirming to hear that my methods are equal to the high NATA standards,” said Winans.

In addition to concussion management, the conference also held a strong focus on utilizing technology to better analyze an athlete’s throwing mechanics. “Although this is a newer topic arising in the athletic training industry, I am proud that we have already implemented this type of testing in the practice,” stated Winans. Already at the cutting-edge of technology, PTRS Kenosha offers customized sports mechanics analysis sessions, using an I-pad to determine an athlete’s area of weakness or impairment. “The courses at the NATA conference have helped me further my knowledge in how to better apply my findings and help athletes reach their peak performance,” he continued.

As PTRS Kenosha holds a strong value on continuing education, the team is proud to remain current on all industry trends to help their patients return to sports, work and recreational activities faster. “The NATA put on a great conference for everyone involved and showed just how important of a role we athletic trainers play in the health and wellness of our communities. We’re not just personal trainers, but medical professionals, ready to assist in rehabilitation, concussion management, workplace injuries and prevention, and first aid services. I look forward to attending future conferences, so I may continue offering the best treatment methods to my friends, family, and community,” said Winans.

PTRS Kenosha is a locally owned-and-operated private and physical & occupational therapy practice located on 18th Street specializing in sports injuries, industrial medicine, hand therapy, injury prevention education, orthopedics, headache & concussion management, and pre/post natal services. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact 262-551-5650 or email jeanette@ptrsonline.com.