Sports Medicine
Our goal is to keep you healthy and active in your everyday life. We have sports medicine clinicians who can help you with issues such as:
- Acute musculoskeletal injuries
- Joint sprains and muscle strains
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain or injuries
- Chronic neck and upper back pain, and low back pain
- Head injuries and concussions
Athletic Training
Certified athletic trainers have special training in preventing, evaluating and rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries. They work collaboratively with physicians throughout your recovery to ensure you have a safe and efficient return to normal activity. Our athletic trainers are certified by the Athletic Training Board of Certification. Each one holds a variety of specialty certifications in different areas, including corrective exercise, performance enhancement and dry needling.
Eligible students may schedule a visit with an athletic trainer by calling 847.491.8100. There is no cost to see one of our athletic trainers.
For information about our athletic training residency program, visit the program’s webpage
Certified athletic trainers have special training in preventing, evaluating and rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries. They work collaboratively with physicians throughout your recovery to ensure you have a safe and efficient return to normal activity. Our athletic trainers are certified by the Athletic Training Board of Certification. Each one holds a variety of specialty certifications in different areas, including corrective exercise, performance enhancement and dry needling.
Eligible students may schedule a visit with an athletic trainer by calling 847.491.8100. There is no cost to see one of our athletic trainers.
For information about our athletic training residency program, visit the program’s webpage
Our Athletic Trainers
Concussion Care
If you’re an eligible Northwestern University student, we can evaluate you for a concussion. One of our physicians will perform both cognitive and physical assessments.
If you have a head injury and think you may have a concussion, please call us at 847.491.8100 or schedule a visit through MyNM, our patient portal.
Seek medical attention right away if you have any of these concussion symptoms:
How long will my symptoms last?
Concussion symptoms typically improve within 14 days of the initial injury. In some cases, symptoms may last for several weeks or even months. Prompt and accurate reporting of concussion is critical, and is associated with faster recovery, faster return to school and physical activity, and fewer long-term adverse effects.
How do I care for my concussion?
Early Reporting:
If you’re an eligible Northwestern University student, we can evaluate you for a concussion. One of our physicians will perform both cognitive and physical assessments.
If you have a head injury and think you may have a concussion, please call us at 847.491.8100 or schedule a visit through MyNM, our patient portal.
Seek medical attention right away if you have any of these concussion symptoms:
- Persistent vomiting
- Increasingly severe headaches
- Disorientation, unusual behavior or increased confusion
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness or worsening coordination
- Unequal pupils
- Seizure
How long will my symptoms last?
Concussion symptoms typically improve within 14 days of the initial injury. In some cases, symptoms may last for several weeks or even months. Prompt and accurate reporting of concussion is critical, and is associated with faster recovery, faster return to school and physical activity, and fewer long-term adverse effects.
How do I care for my concussion?
Early Reporting:
- Schedule an appointment with a physician as soon as you suspect a concussion
- Be honest about your symptoms with your physician and care team
- Proper Recovery:
- Limit screentime as needed for the initial 24-48 hours after injury
- Symptom-limited physical and mental activity as directed by your physician and care team
- Take plenty of breaks while working back into academic tasks to reduce symptom increase
- Stay engaged with roommates, friends, family, and other social groups
- Communicate your needs to those that can help you
Club Sports
We are the primary medical provider for Northwestern University club sports. Our athletic trainers provide on-site coverage for many club sports.
Clearance Requirements for Northwestern University Club Sports
To be medically cleared to participate in Northwestern University club sports, you must complete a health history questionnaire, and you must respond to all subsequent communication from sports medicine staff.
After you complete the health history questionnaire:
Requesting Medical Coverage for a Club Sports Event
If you want an athletic trainer to cover an event, you must complete the Athletic Training Services Request Form at least five business days before the event. You must complete a form for each event you want to be covered.
Coverage depends on:
We are the primary medical provider for Northwestern University club sports. Our athletic trainers provide on-site coverage for many club sports.
Clearance Requirements for Northwestern University Club Sports
To be medically cleared to participate in Northwestern University club sports, you must complete a health history questionnaire, and you must respond to all subsequent communication from sports medicine staff.
After you complete the health history questionnaire:
- Watch for communication from our sports medicine staff. Be sure to check your university email, your cellphone and MyNM.
- After our sports medicine staff review your questionnaire and make a decision, IMLeagues will be updated accordingly.
Requesting Medical Coverage for a Club Sports Event
If you want an athletic trainer to cover an event, you must complete the Athletic Training Services Request Form at least five business days before the event. You must complete a form for each event you want to be covered.
Coverage depends on:
- Risk assessment of sport
- Notice of event
- Event location
- Team compliance in IM Leagues