At the core of the ARC Physical Therapy+ Ankeny sports medicine team is the certified athletic trainer (also known as an ATC).
ARC Physical Therapy+ is a physical therapy company that has proudly committed an ATC to serve the athletes, coaches, and surrounding community for both Ankeny Centennial High School and Ankeny High School since 2013. A dedicated member of each athletic program’s staff, the ATC is embedded in day-to-day operations of both in-season practices and off-season work-outs, evaluating injuries and forming relationships with athletes by getting to know them as individuals and athletes.
“Athletes can expect an ARC Physical Therapy+ ATC to get to know them individually and treat their injury with their best interests and performance goals in mind,” Ankeny Regional Director and Physical Therapist Aaron Christiansen shares. “The ATC attends to acute injury but also makes decisions regarding safe return to play by communicating with the doctor, physical therapist, parent, and coach. In this role, they facilitate access to optimal recovery services and achievement of peak performance goals.”
Aaron went on to share, “Our ATCs work continuously with all local physicians, providing a seamless continuum of communication and care from injury to return-to-play for athletes and families of all ages in the Ankeny community.”
“One example is our Concussion Return to Play Program ordered by the physician and administered by ARC Physical Therapy+ physical therapists at the clinic. ARC Physical Therapy+ ATCs then monitor every athlete’s concussion status daily and coordinate a return to play decision with the physician.”
ATC’s Alyssa Wrage and Grant Waller explain why they enjoy working with student athletes:
What is your most memorable moment with the student athletes?
Alyssa: My most memorable moment is when our volleyball and football teams both beat our rivals. I loved seeing the excitement of the athletes and the fans throughout both of the games. After spending so much time with the athletes it is always a great feeling seeing them succeed!
Grant: My most memorable moment with the athletes was when we won the State Football Championship as well as the State Volleyball Championship in 2020 with the Ankeny Hawks! It was such a fun journey and seeing my athletes succeed is always amazing to see! Hard work pays off!
Why do you enjoy working with student athletes?
Alyssa: You get to create incredible bonds with them and be a good influence along the way! It feels really good to know you made a positive impact on someone’s life.
Grant: I enjoy working with the students because it gives me an opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s lives whether it be in athletes, academic, or life in general. It’s always special when kids want to come talk to me about what I do because they’re interested in my field!
What misconception do students have about working with you?
Alyssa: I think a big misconception students have is that if they come to see me with an injury, they will have to sit out and not play! I always try my hardest to find a solution for them that not only makes them healthy but also keeps them in the game if possible.
Grant: A common misconception that kids usually have about me is that I’m a scary doctor who’s going to hold them out of sports. I try to let all my athletes know that I am there for them and I want to see them succeed in the best possible ways, and that I’m not here to hold them out but rather support them in their lowest of lows but cheer for them during their highest of highs.
The Ankeny sports medicine team provides cutting-edge rehabilitative programs including:
- Functional dry needling
- Orthotic training
- Kinesiotaping
- Functional biomechanics assessment and programs
- Running programs
- Throwing programs
- And more!
Visit Our Ankeny Clinic
Walk-in injury screens are FREE of charge Monday through Friday to the Ankeny community. Or call 515-965-1422 to make an appointment.
