Competing in collegiate athletics can be rough on an athlete’s body. Thankfully, there are athletic trainers to help keep athletes in optimal health. Certified athletic trainers are allied health care professionals who specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses.

Here are some facts about athletic trainers that you may not have known:

FACT: All athletic trainers have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
FACT: 70% of athletic trainers have a master’s degree or doctorate.
FACT: Athletic trainers know and practice the medical arts at the highest professional standards.
FACT: Athletic trainers specialize in patient education to prevent injury and re-injury and reduce rehabilitative and other health care costs.

ATHLETE "SELF-CARE" TIPS

HYDRATION
The perfect balance between hydration and not weighing yourself down:
Drink 7-10 ounces of water or sports drinks every 10-20 minutes during exercise.

BLISTER CARE
To Pop or not to Pop?
Blisters usually develop when there is friction and irritation to the surface layer of the skin and cause it to separate from the second layer. Fluid fills in the space between these two layers.

Treatment:
If you get a blister, the goal is to keep the blister from getting larger and avoiding infection. (Signs of infection include pus draining from the blister, very red or warm skin around the blister, or red streaks leading away from the blister). Small unbroken blisters that don't cause discomfort can be left alone to heal, since the best protection against infection is a blister's own skin. Large, painful blisters can be drained but do not remove the top layer of skin. First clean the blister with antibiotic soap and water. Then, with a sterile needle puncture a small hole at the edge of the blister. Drain the fluid by applying gentle pressure. Put antibiotic ointment on the blister and cover with a bandage.

PREVENT MUSCLE SORENESS
Use the 10% rule to decrease your risk of muscle soreness. You should not increase your fitness program or activity level by more than 10% per week. This allows your body adequate time for recovery and response.

SPRAINS, STRAINS AND CONTUSIONS
Treatment varies for the severity of your injury. For mild injuries, the best treatment is R.I.C.E.
Rest: Rest the injured part from painful activity 
Ice: Ice should be applied for 20 minutes
Compression: Apply a wrap starting from a point furthest from the heart and wrap towards the heart
Elevation: Elevation should be above the level of the heart.

If you would like more information on any of these subjects please visit www.nata.org or seek out the athletic training staff.