Athletic Training
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Athletic Trainers (ATs) are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians. ATs specialize in in the prevention, assessment, emergent care, and treatment of musculoskeletal and general medical conditions. ATs work under the direction of physicians, as prescribed by state licensure statutes.
Athletic trainers can work in a variety of settings. At RAMC our athletic trainers work with Reedsburg High School, youth football, outpatient therapy and with the Maintain and Restore program here at RAMC.
Athletic trainers are great advocates for their patients.
Prevention & Wellness Promotion
- Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors with effective education and communication to enhance wellness and minimize the risk of injury and illness.
- Example: designing an ankle sprain prevention program, taping, ergonomic and biomedical corrections.
Assessment & Diagnosis
- Implementing systematic, evidence-based examinations and assessments to formulate valid clinical diagnoses and determine patients' plan of care.
- Example: examining a patient with foot, ankle, knee, hip, back, shoulder, elbow or wrist pain to form an assessment and clinical diagnosis; then determine a plan of care.
Emergency Care
- Integrating best practices in immediate and emergency care for optimal outcomes.
- Example: assessing and managing a head/neck injury, fracture, dislocation, heat stroke, cardiac condition, etc. on the field and determining immediate care measures and referral.
Treatment and Rehab
- Rehabilitating and reconditioning injuries, illnesses and general medical conditions with the goal of achieving optimal activity level using the applications of therapeutic exercise, modality devices and manual techniques.
- Example: applying ice bags, Estim, ultrasound, massage, cupping, therapeutic exercises, taping, and more.
Healthcare Administration
- Integrating best practices in policy construction and implementation, documentation and basic business practices to promote optimal patient care and employee well-being.
- Example: budgets and inventory, medical documentation and record keeping, continuing education, scheduling of concussion baselines, and more.
For more information and resources on the profession of athletic training, visit the National Athletic Training Association website.
Athletic Trainers – not “Trainers”
There is a difference. An athletic trainer is a certified and licensed health care professional who practices in the field of sports medicine. Along with this training, RAMC's ATs also have extensive backgrounds in fitness, strength and conditioning.
"Trainers" do not have the medical training, physician direction, board certification, and state regulatory standards that athletic trainers do.
Call us Athletic Trainers or ATs.
Meet our AT Staff
Cait Atchison, MS, LAT, ATC
B.S. Exercise and Sport Science from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse 2016-2019; M.S. Athletic Training from University of Wisconsin – La Crosse 2019-2021
"I have been interested in the profession of athletic training since 2018 which was sparked by my undergraduate roommate who was getting her degree in athletic training. After helping her study and be her designated practical partner over the course of two years, I grew to learn about and love the profession.”
Since 2019, my clinical experience includes high school athletics, collegiate athletics, USPHL, Northwoods League Collegiate Summer Baseball, and academic and clinical research."
Areas of clinical expertise include:
- Concussion assessment and management
- Chronic injury of the lower extremity (i.e. stress fractures, chronic knee pain, low back pain, sacroiliac joint dysfunction)
- Post-operative shoulder and ACL rehabilitation
- Manual therapies techniques including instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, cupping, and myofascial release
- Functional and sport/occupation specific rehab
"I enjoy hiking, running, strength training, tennis, swimming, and traveling. I like to play guitar, read, and play cards and games with family and friends."
Team Physicians
"I have been proud to support the athletic training program at RAMC. The physicians on our campus work in concert with the Athletic Trainers to provide prompt and complete care for our local athletes. We make ourselves available to the ATs around the clock to help streamline the healthcare needs for these athletes. Our commitment is that athletes/patients that need to be medically evaluated in our clinic can do so in a very prompt manner. The AT helps to coordinate this care with the athlete and parents/guardians, and has served as an advocate for both. It is common for a medical appointment to occur within 24 hours of the AT recognizing that need.
I look forward to a continued supportive relationship with the trainers here in Reedsburg, and I have been very impressed with the rapport they have developed with the athletes and their families."
"It has been a privilege to work regularly with the athletic training program here at the hospital. We certainly try to insure prompt care of our local athletes when the athletic trainer or the athlete themselves needs additional assessment to determine the best course of treatment for their injury. We too want them to return as quickly as possible to the sport they enjoy and yet know the importance of doing so safely.
It is our understanding that athletes want to be evaluated as soon as possible so we pride ourselves on seeing them usually within 1-2 days. We work in close concert with the AT to make that happen and want the athlete and parents to be attended to promptly to address their concerns. We certainly continue to look forward to working with all participants involved to provide care alongside our local athletic trainer."