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New West Physical Therapy currently employs four Certified Athletic Trainers, one of which provides medical coverage to local communities via game/event coverage and high schools. Primary responsibilities are serving local high schools, UNK athletics, community outreach and game/event coverage.
Specialties include:- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Prevention of athletic injuries
- Orthopedic injury evaluation
- Sport specific rehabilitation and return to play intervention
- Injury Prevention Programs
- Emergency care and First Responder
- Concussion Evaluation, ImPACT certified Athletic Trainer
Contact Doug Cooper, ATC here for more information.
What is athletic training?
Athletic training encompasses the prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of emergent, acute or chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA), Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as an allied health care profession.
Who are athletic trainers?
Athletic trainers (ATs) are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide preventative services, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers work under the direction of a physician as prescribed by state licensure statutes.
Athletic trainers are sometimes confused with personal trainers. There is, however, a large difference in the education, skillset, job duties and patients of an athletic trainer and a personal trainer. The athletic training academic curriculum and clinical training follow the medical model. Athletic trainers must graduate from an accredited baccalaureate or master’s program, and 70% of ATs have a master’s degree.
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Doug Cooper is a certified athletic trainer with experience working with the UNK Baseball team (2009 – 2011). Shoulder U has been developed based on the successful outcomes Doug had keeping his players on the field through “prehabilitation” (Preventative Rehabilitation). The program has been updated and modified based on the latest research in injury prevention as well as input from orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists.
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Shoulder U is a program designed to prevent shoulder/elbow injuries and improve performance for overhead/throwing athletes through:
- Proven rehabilitation protocols catered to the overhead athlete
- Identifying weaknesses and personalizing rehabilitation to address associated risks
- Proper warm-up, stretching, and weight training
- Combinations of core strengthening, balance, proprioception, and plyometrics
- Emphasis on strengthening posterior shoulder/back musculature
- Mechanics analysis performed by former UNK player and pitching coach Jason Miller *Doctorate degree only*
Bachelor's Degree – $75
- 1 hour evaluation of shoulder/hips/core
- Two 30-min Corrective Exercise Treatments
- Comprehensive Off-Season Program
Master's Degree – $120
- 1 hour evaluation of shoulder/hips/core
- Eight 30m-in Corrective Exercise Treatments 2 times a week for 1 month
- Comprehensive Off-Season Program
Doctorate Degree – $150
- 1 hour evaluation of shoulder/hips/core
- Mechanical analysis by former UNK pitching coach Jason Miller
- Eight 30-min Corrective Exercise Treatments 2 times a week for 1 month
- Comprehensive Off-Season Program
Committee of Advocates
Coach Damon Day
- Finishing his 14th year as head coach for the UNK baseball program, Coach Day has had unprecedented success. Day has coached 72 all-conference players, 17 all-region selections and the first four Division II All-Americans in program history. Coach Day and Doug worked together during the 2010 and 2011 UNK baseball seasons. In 2010, UNK won 36 games, claimed the Plains Division and hosted the RMAC Conference tournament. The 2010 Lopers also received the programs first at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. In 2011, Day oversaw the best season in Loper history as UNK won 38 games, claimed the RMAC regular season title and won three games in the NCAA Central Regional in Minnesota.
Coach Day’s Testimonial:
“For two seasons Doug worked hard to keep our guys ready to play. He established an arm care program with many of our pitchers and position players that kept us healthy and competitive. Our guys rarely missed significant playing time due to injuries in 2010-2011 which were the best seasons in UNK baseball history. Without Doug working with the guys in the training room throughout the season, it’d be hard to say that we would have been as successful.”
On ShoulderU:
“I think that injury prevention programs like ShoulderU are of great value to parents, players and coaches. The ability to screen for risk factors and then address them preventatively is extremely beneficial for young athletes and coaches.”
Terry Nitsch, PTA, ATC
Physical Therapist Assistant
Certified Athletic Trainer
Co-owner / Co-Founder – New West RehabilitationTreatment Philosophy:
“I utilize a treatment approach that involves constant communication with my patients and their physician. This communication serves as the backbone of the rehabilitation process. My background in athletic training has helped me understand how important it is to get athletes, and the working population alike, back to activity in the shortest amount of time possible. It is my goal to work with the patient and their physician to be as aggressive as possible, but at the same time, to do it in a safe and productive manner.”
Specialties:
- Sports Medicine and rehabilitation/prevention of sports related injuries. Particular interest in the treatment of the shoulder and knee.
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, Colby Community College, 2007.
- Master of Science Degree in Physical Education, Eastern Illinois University, 1993.
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1992.
- Completion of Accredited Athletic Training Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1991.
Personal:
Terry lives in Kearney with his wife, Karla. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends/family and recreational activities that include basketball, softball, and jogging.
Affiliations:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- National Athletic Trainers Association
- Nebraska Athletic Trainers Association
- Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
- Member of the Private Practice Section of the APTA
William Weed, PT
Physical Therapist
Co-owner / Co-Founder – New West RehabilitationTreatment Philosophy:
- Listen to the patient.
- Always let the patient know through sight, sound, and presentation how much you care, not how much you know.
Education:
- Master of Physical Therapy from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN in 1991
- Bachelor of Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1989
Specialties:
- Orthopaedic rehabilitation across all age groups
- Emphasis and primary case load of operative and nonoperative shoulder pain and injury
- Manual Therapy
- Sports Rehabilitation, including working with the US Olympic Rowing Team, US Track and Field, as well as multiple college and professional athletes
- Level 1 Functional Dry Needling certified
Personal:
Bill and his wife Peg live in Kearney. Between them they have seven children. His interests include all things family. Bill and Peg also love to travel, pray, hike, golf, exercise, eat well and attend kid's events.
Affiliations:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
- Private Practice Section of the APTA
Forms/Brochures
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Athletic Training Staff
Doug Cooper, ATC
Certified Athletic Trainer
Treatment Philosophy:
“I enjoy making people laugh and I’ve found humor creates a relaxed and positive environment for patients dealing with orthopaedic injuries. Through my experiences in both collegiate and high school athletics, I’ve found that developing trust and comfort with my patients leads to a faster and more enjoyable healing process. I personally invest in my patients and I am committed to their success on and off the field.”
Specialties:
- Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation/Prevention of athletic injuries
- Shoulder and Low Back Rehabilitation
- Sport specific rehabilitation and return to play intervention
- Emergency care and First Responder
- Concussion Evaluation
Education:
- Master of Arts in Exercise Science, University of Nebraska-Kearney, 2011.
- Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training, University of Kansas, 2009.
- Completion of Accredited Athletic Training Program, University of Kansas, 2009.
- Graduate of Stockton High School, Stockton, KS., 2004.
Personal Information:
Doug lives in Kearney and enjoys hunting, fishing and being outdoors. He loves watching sports, primarily the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Royals.
Affiliations:
- National Athletic Trainers’ Assocation
- Nebraska Athletic Trainers’ Association
- Mid-West Athletic Trainers’ Association
Terry Nitsch, PTA, ATC
Physical Therapist Assistant
Certified Athletic Trainer
Co-owner / Co-Founder – New West RehabilitationTreatment Philosophy:
“I utilize a treatment approach that involves constant communication with my patients and their physician. This communication serves as the backbone of the rehabilitation process. My background in athletic training has helped me understand how important it is to get athletes, and the working population alike, back to activity in the shortest amount of time possible. It is my goal to work with the patient and their physician to be as aggressive as possible, but at the same time, to do it in a safe and productive manner.”
Specialties:
- Sports Medicine and rehabilitation/prevention of sports related injuries. Particular interest in the treatment of the shoulder and knee.
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist Assistant, Colby Community College, 2007.
- Master of Science Degree in Physical Education, Eastern Illinois University, 1993.
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1992.
- Completion of Accredited Athletic Training Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1991.
Personal:
Terry lives in Kearney with his wife, Karla. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends/family and recreational activities that include basketball, softball, and jogging.
Affiliations:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- National Athletic Trainers Association
- Nebraska Athletic Trainers Association
- Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
- Member of the Private Practice Section of the APTA
Elizabeth Muller, PTA, ATC
Physical Therapist Assistant
Treatment Philosophy:
“I believe each patient should be treated with respect and kindness. The patient should also be able to understand the treatment plan laid out for them, and be comfortable with the therapist.”
Specialties:
- Sports Medicine
- Graston Technique
- Kinesiotaping
Education:
- Associate of Applied Science, Physical Therapist assistant, Colby Community College, 2008.
- Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, University of nebraska at Kearney, 2007.
Affiliations:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Nebraska Physical Therapy Association
- National Athletic Trainers Association
- Nebraska Athletic Trainers Association
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Shoulder U Resources
- Pre-season Throwing Program Overview (PDF)
- Weight Training Guidelines (PDF)
- Tommy John Surgery FAQ (PDF)
- Risk Factors (PDF)
- Pitch Smart MLB Site
Concussion FAQ
