LPST Staff Attends Concussion Seminar

Dave Knoeppel, Ed Earnest, and Beth Soltero of Longview Physical & Sports Therapy attended the Washington State Athletic Trainers’ Concussion Symposium at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, on July 18th.

Dave Knoeppel, MSPT/MSATC/AT/L

The symposium was prompted by the Lystedt Law, which was passed by the Washington State Legislature in March 2009. The Lystedt Law requires that all school districts work with the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Association to develop guidelines and forums to educate coaches, athletes, and parents about the risk of concussion and head injuries while playing sports.

The new law also requires that any athlete suspected of sustaining a concussion be removed from play immediately and allowed to participate only after securing written clearance from a licensed health care provider.

“The Lystedt Law is going to have a big impact on the way we treat concussions,” said Knoeppel, co-owner of LPST. “The symposium was informative, and we were happy to attend. When it comes to training, technology, and treatment methods, we always want to be seen as leaders in our community and our profession.”

The symposium featured a presentation by Stanley Herring, M.D., Co-Medical Director for the Seattle Sports Concussion Program, team physician for the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners, and consultant for the University of Washington Sports Medicine Program.

The conference also included information about concussion recognition, management, and return-to-play guidelines; a Q-and-A session with a physician panel; and use of the Standardized Concussion Assessment Tool - a uniform method for evaluating head injuries.

Located in Suite 220 at Pacific Surgical Institute, Longview Physical & Sports Therapy works extensively with local club, youth, middle school, high school, and college athletes by providing onsite assistance, game coverage, and individual rehabilitation for a variety of injuries and conditions.