Rodeo Injuries
There is a common mantra on the rodeo circuit: ‘If you’re gonna rodeo, you’re gonna get hurt’. Rodeo athletes compete in some of the most dangerous sports in the world. In bull riding, the most dangerous of the events, athletes climb onto a 2,000-pound bull, risking their safety to overcome the throes of eight-second battle. Often, rodeo injuries are inevitable, commonly those to the head, neck, and shoulder, and include sprains, strains, and fractures.
Mike Rich, Executive Director of Justin Boots Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) at Spooner Physical Therapy, spends his weekends traveling and treating athletes with rodeo injuries. Many of these athletes spend much of their time on the road and do not have the access to complete a full rehabilitation process in physical therapy.
Helping People After Rodeo Injuries
“My goal is teaching them what they can do for themselves” Rich states. After assessing rodeo injuries, the next step is to determine the treatment that can be most effective while the athlete is on site at the rodeo event. Leaving the event might not be an option, therefore, Rich will provide an exercise program to the athlete that can be started during the weekend. From there, he often directs them to the next level of care.
Spooner Physical Therapy is the preferred provider Rich sends the injured athletes he meets during the rodeos. Depending on where the athletes live, or where they may travel, Spooner Physical Therapy provides care for rodeo injuries to every client whether for a single visit or full rehabilitation.
Before parting ways with the injured athletes, Rich’s goal is to, “direct them to where they can access high-quality rehabilitation. Arizona is really easy now with Spooner’s quality care and locations across the valley.”
Rich has over two decades of extensive sports medicine experience including working with schools, Arizona State University athletics, and professional sports teams. Rich ventured into his own clinic in Gilbert, Arizona for 7 years before choosing to collaborate with Spooner’s network, creating the Spooner Mesa Gateway location. “I chose to collaborate with Spooner Physical Therapy because we have a very similar passion for the importance of quality care for each patient. Their focus is on setting functional movement goals that are individualized to the needs of each patient and ultimately getting them back to what they want to do. The therapists ask investigative questions in order to better understand athletes, understand their rodeo injuries and get them better.” Rich states. “Spooner Physical Therapists are movement experts and will rehab you to your maximum functional ability.”
Prior to working with Spooner, patients would travel across the valley to receive the care they needed from Rich. Now, as part of the Spooner network, clients have access to sixteen locations across the valley, advanced equipment, and a staff eager to provide excellent care. Along with Spooner’s accessible, the staff’s diverse backgrounds allow each patient to get the care for their specific rodeo injuries.