Colan Grootenboer shows how it's done

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LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

************************* Greyhounds therapist discusses manual therapy with LSSU students

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – In spite of the many advances in medicine, not all medical care is delivered with high-tech equipment, as Soo Greyhounds athletic therapist Colan Grootenboer demonstrated for Lake Superior State University athletic training students recently.

In November, Grootenboer provided a seminar on manual therapy techniques for the students, showing them how to provide relief to injured athletes quickly and help them on the road to recovery.

The students were accompanied by Prof. Joe Susi ATC, director of the LSSU athletic training education program, and Nan Kingsbury PT/ATC, an adjunct faculty member as well as a physical therapist at War Memorial Hospital in Sault, Mich.

Susi said the evening started with Grootenboer providing a brief review of the basic principles of manual therapy, which is a clinical approach using specific hands-on techniques, such as manipulation and mobilization, to diagnose and treat soft tissues and joint structures.

Athletic trainers and therapists use manual therapy to help stop pain and inflammation and increase an athlete's range of motion.

Grootenboer demonstrated joint mobilization techniques, specifically for the head of the fibula, which is the smaller of the two bones that make up the lower leg. An often neglected area in the treatment of lower leg injuries, the joint at the head of fibula loses mobility, which may lead to biomechanical dysfunction.

The Greyhounds therapist also covered trigger-point therapy, which is used to treat a hyperactive area within a muscle that has caused the muscle to become tight.

"To help relieve the trigger point, pressure is applied to the area until a relaxation is felt," said Susi. "He demonstrated this technique in the back and in the hip area, targeting the piriformis."

The piriformis is a deep muscle in the buttock area that is involved in hip rotation.

Tightness within this muscle will exert pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing pain often referred to as sciatica. Toward the end of his demonstration, Grootenboer reviewed techniques to help loosen the fascia in the lower leg and the neck.

Fascia is tissue that holds muscles together, as well as bones. Susi said the LSSU athletic training students were very impressed with Grootenboer's presentation and enjoyed learning new techniques.

He said Grootenboer may return for another program in the future. For more information about athletic training at LSSU, visit www.lssu.edu

************************* Athletic training certification exam now offered at LSSU

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Athletic training students at Lake Superior State University won't have far to travel to take their National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification (BOC) examination now that the examination will be offered on campus.

Students will be able to take the examination through the university's Counseling and Testing Center.

Currently the BOC examination is in three parts, with a written portion, a written simulation and a practical portion.

Earlier this year, the NATA Board of Certification made a decision to make the examination more computer-based and to phase out the practical portion of the exam.

The last time the practical portion will be given will be April 22, 2007.

The other two portions of the examination will be given via computer at approved test site locations, including LSSU.

The test will be offered five times throughout the year and candidates will have a two-week window in which to take the examination each time.

Candidates must first meet the prerequisite requirements and be endorsed by their sponsoring program director.

Once the prerequisites are in order, candidates will register for an examination seat through the ACT Call Center, 1.800.205.6366.

The call center will give students the information they need to confirm their seat.

The testing location at LSSU will be in room 128 of Kenneth Shouldice Library.

"This is a first for our testing center," said Carol Boger of LSSU Testing Services. "We are extremely happy to provide this service to our students and to others in the region."

Since November 8, when it became available at LSSU, four students from the area have taken advantage of the testing service.

Joe Susi ATC, director of LSSU's athletic training program, said he expects LSSU students to use the LSSU service this spring.

More information on LSSU testing services is available from Boger at 906-635-2452.

Prospective students may find out more about athletic training education from Susi at 906-635-2161, or LSSU Admissions, 888-800-LSSU.

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