CU-Lock Haven athletic training student completes immersive experience with University of Michigan's Big 10 lacrosse champions

Before graduating this spring from Commonwealth University-Lock Haven with a master's degree in athletic training, Justin Bell, of Beaver, spent his final semester at the University of Michigan with the NCAA Division I defending Big 10 men's lacrosse champions.

Adding DI athletics experience, his desire to work with lacrosse in the future and the reputation of Michigan sports medicine were all reasons why Bell selected Michigan men's lacrosse as his immersive experience site to complete his clinical education.

Bell began working with the men's lacrosse team in early January at the start of Michigan's spring season. His athletic training preceptor, Anthony Rossi DAT, LAT, ATC, has been with Michigan men's lacrosse for five years. Under the supervision of Rossi, Bell was responsible for treatment hours in the clinic and covering daily practices and games, which included traveling with the team during their spring break trip to Florida.

"Justin was great to have around," Rossi said. "He got along well with the team and it was a big help for them to see him as an extension of myself."

While working with the team, Bell learned how to utilize new aspects of manual therapy and soft tissue treatments in the management of acute, chronic and overuse conditions. One example included observing Rossi use dry needling to help facilitate the healing process of soft tissue. Dry needling is a treatment technique not legally permitted for use by athletic trainers in Pennsylvania due to the state practice act limiting the use of invasive procedures.

As part of his responsibilities with the team, Bell also assisted the sport dietician on a weekly basis to test the hydration status of athletes using urine specific gravity. These tests are done to prevent injury and facilitate the healing process of injured athletes.

"I feel as if my education and clinical experiences with Lock Haven's athletic training program have prepared me for the demands of being an athletic training student with a Big 10 team," Bell said. "I'm excited to take my experiences from this immersive experience and implement it into my clinical practice in the future."