With the arrival of March, spring is on the way and its “National Athletic Training Month.” This year’s theme is “ATs Are Health Care” and it’s a time to celebrate the positive impact athletic trainers have on work, life, and sports.

There are over 16,000 athletic trainers in the United States and West Virginia is home to over 300, including myself! We are highly qualified, multi-skilled heathcare professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention, and rehabiliation of injuries and medical conditions. We are a vital extension in remote areas, such as West Virginia, for physicians and therapists alike. Our job is to improve overall health in everything from pharmacology to concussions and are prepared for any and every emergency that may arise.

In West Virginia, AT’s like myself can be found at universities and high schools in addition to corporations such as the Toyota assembly plant in Buffalo. I have found my home with Greenbrier Valley Physical Therapy alongside owners Kevin Workman and Bob Haas (both DPT/ATC). Our mission is to offer our community with quality physical therapy services while contributing sports medicine coverage and care to our local school athletes and active neighbors!

Given the nature of my profession, I will be pursuing a very diverse range of topics throughout the year with your Dailey Dose. I will reach out to local professionals and resources who stand available and ready to share their knowledge. I hope that this will contribute to increased knowledge, awareness, performance, well-being, and health in our community.

Look for events to get out this month and be ACTIVE!

On Saturday, March 9, brave the cold and plunge into the Greenbrier River with the 16th Annual Greenbrier Valley Polar Bear Plunge. This event will be held at Island Park in Ronceverte, starting at 1pm. You’ll be freezing for a reason as this event benefits the Child Youth and Advocacy Center in Lewisburg.

If you are in Pocahontas County on Wednesday, March 20, enjoy a 3-mile evening hike under the full moon. The full moon hike starts at Cass Visitor Center, 8pm, and is led by a park ranger or naturalist. This is event is free and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Then on Saturday, March 23, lace up your running shoes for the 13th Annual Celtic Knot 1k/5k/10k. Held in downtown Lewisburg, this event benefits High Rocks Educational Corps. Find more info at highrocks.org/get-involved/events. Be sure to register by March 5th to receive a t-shirt!

Stay active and if you personally know an athletic trainer, tell them “thank you” this month. On facebook or twitter, tag your AT and use the hashtag #thankanAT. You could also add a personal touch and write up a handwritten classic and send it to your trainer. Taking the time to recognize your athletic trainer, however you choose to do it, shows your sincerest appreciation for the role they play within athletic healthcare.

– Nick Dailey. HashtagWV #111. March 2019. For more information on the contributions of athletic trainers, visit atyourownrisk.org or email me with questions at dailey8089@gmail.com.