CLINTON High School                ATHLETIC TRAINER & ICE THERAPY


The Man Who Can Drive Himself Further Once The Effort Gets Painful Is The Man Who Will Win - Sir Roger Bannister

-MEET OUR TRAINER-

 

TRAINER, ALYSSA MARCOTTE

We welcome the Clinton Maroon's new athletic trainer, Alyssa Marcotte! Alyssa grew up in Momence, Illinois near Kankakee. As a student at Momence High School, she was a 3 sport athlete, with a strong emphasis in softball. A recent graduate of Illinois State University, she completed her athletic training program in May of 2012. During her ISU training, she did clinical work for ISU track and field, women's soccer, as well as Wesleyan football and baseball. When not at the school, Alyssa spends part of her day as a therapist at the John Warner Hospital PT department. Clinton High School is pleased to have aboard the athletic training expertise of Alyssa Marcotte.


-ICE THERAPY-

 Ice therapy (cryotherapy) can be used immediately after strenuous physical activity to control inflammation and edema, reduce muscle spasticity (tightness), and pain control.

During strenuous activity, body tissues suffer from subtle tears.  This is called microtrauma.  Microtrauma is natural and a normal aspect of working out and building muscle, but it can lead to local pain and uncontrolled inflammation.  Simple techniques such as ice therapy, when used properly, can reduce these symptoms, prevent further tissue damage, and allow for a faster return to activity.  There are four stages of sensation experienced during ice therapy:

1) Cold

2) Burning

3) Aching

4) Numbness

Ice therapy achieves its goals by initially constricting blood vessels in the treated area, slowing the blood supply.  This decrease in blood flow accompanied by the cold temperature of the ice decrease heat in the area, therefore putting a halt to inflammation.  After removal of the ice, blood flow will gradually return to normal levels.  The subsequent numbness from the prolonged ice treatment will also work to control pain, which results from the tissue microtrauma and inflammation.  This numbness results from a decrease in nerve conduction velocity associated with the treated area.  Another common response to microtrauma and inflammation is increased muscle tone in the affected area.  Muscles are activated by the brain in an attempt to restrict movement in the inflamed area, therefore preventing further swelling.  Ice therapy effectively loosens the overactive muscles and, in conjunction with its other effects, allows for more pain-free movement of the affected area and proper healing.
 


 There are many forms and benefits of ice therapy.  Many methods of treatment are fast-acting, can be applied to many different parts of the body, and are cost-efficient.  The simplest forms of ice therapy include ice cubes in a Ziploc bag or a bag of frozen vegetables.  Other forms of ice therapy can be chosen based on the specific nature of the area involved and include:

- Cold gel pack

- Ice massage

- Massage technique is used rather than constant application

- Cold compression unit

-  A motorized cooler that constantly pumps ice water to a connected cuff

-  Ice-immersion bath

-  Beneficial for large body parts

-  Contrast-immersion bath

-  Alternate between ice water and hot water

-  Beneficial for large body parts

Ice therapy should be used immediately after a workout until the affected area becomes numb or for 10-15 minutes, whichever occurs first.  Subsequent treatment sessions can be initiated once the treated tissue resumes its normal temperature.  Any questions regarding ice therapy should be directed to your primary physician.

 

 
!GOOD LUCK MAROONS!