Athletic Medicine

Athletic trainers are highly skilled healthcare professionals with expertise in the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of injury. They hold both a national certification following the passing of a Board exam, as well as obtaining a medical license from the state of Michigan. From the onset of injury, through recovery and return to play, an athletic trainer works with your student-athlete every step of the way. The core competencies of an athletic trainer include:

• Injury Prevention and Wellness Promotion
• Examination, Assessment, and Diagnosis
• Immediate and Emergency Care
• Therapeutic Intervention
• Healthcare Administration and Professional Responsibility

Midland High School and Midland Sports Rehab are taking every possible measure to ensure the safety of our student-athletes, using recommendations from the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA), the Michigan Department of Health, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), along with the guidelines set by the school and/or district.

Our Athletic Trainers are contracted to provide sports medicine services to student athletes at Midland High School with a strong emphasis on injury prevention, injury evaluation, immediate and emergency care, as well as rehabilitation and reconditioning. They cover all home events that are onsite as well as away varsity football games. Their day to day hours vary due to the nature of sports schedules but high risk sports and event coverage take precedence over practices or low risk activities when there are schedule conflicts. Please use the above contact information to reach out to your AT about their availability day to day.

At some point during the sports season it may be necessary for your child to see a physician. We can work with you to obtain an appointment with our sports medicine physician Dr. Lyons, or one of his affiliates. It is important to keep open lines of communication with all members of the sports medicine team no matter who the outside provider may be. This can be easily done by having their physician write a note after seeing your student athlete with their diagnosis, restrictions for play, and the plan moving forward. It is also okay to share our contact information with your child’s physician or physical therapist so that we can all collaborate and be on the same page.

If your son/daughter is seen or treated by a physician for an injury or serious illness, they must bring a written note from the physician before they can return to practice or play in a game. This is an MHSAA rule and is for the student’s protection as well as to keep everyone informed as to the student’s readiness. If you forget to get a note, you can have one faxed to 989-923-5100 or send it by email (PDF), to the above email addresses.

Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that can vary greatly in presentation and severity.  These injuries are to be taken very seriously and if one is at all suspected, should be evaluated by the Athletic Training Staff at Midland High School.  Please do not wait to contact the AT about a suspected concussion.  We use a baseline testing program called SWAY Medical, which is app based, and is taken on the student athlete’s phone under the direction of the Athletic Trainer.  The AT staff baseline tests athletes of high risk sports every two years to accommodate for brain development at this age.  The sports we deem necessary for baseline testing include:

• Football
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Gasketball
• Wrestling
• Hockey
• Cheerleading (sideline and competitive)
• Lacrosse
• Baseball
• Softball
• Polevaulting

The return to play process following a concussion will be a collaborative effort that includes your Athletic Trainer as well as your family physician.  The first priority is establishing a clear path forward in the classroom setting.  Your student may need academic rest or support during their brain injury and your physician must write a note for academic accommodations.  However, the student should communicate with their teachers and counselor about any difficulties they may be having in the classroom.  

The return to play progression that MUST be followed per the MHSAA is outlined below.  Only one step can be completed per 24 hour period and the athlete must be completely symptom-free prior to returning to sport specific training.  The Athletic Trainer must be the one guiding the athlete through the gradual return to play protocol.

1. Light aerobic exercise (stationary bike)
2. Moderate to intense aerobic exercise (running, cutting, agility)
3. Non-contact sport specific training
4. Contact practice
5. Game play

The MHSAA also requires a specific return to play form to be signed by the student, parent/guardian and treating provider (DO, MD, NP, PA) and turned in to the athletic office prior to returning to competition.  This form can be found here: https://www.mhsaa.com/sites/default/files/2022-07/returntoplay.pdf