Tana Drennan M.Ed., LAT, ATC, CSCS, FNS

Athletic Trainer

Tana Drennan, originally from Yukon Oklahoma, joined the OSTC family in the summer of 2013.  Tana has been in the athletic training field since she was a sophomore in high school.  She worked and studied athletic training as an undergraduate student at Northeastern State University and then went on to pursue her master's degree at UT Tyler in Tyler TX.  She and her husband Josh live in Wichita Falls with their daughter Marley and new baby boy Waylon.

Tana is currently the athletic trainer and coordinator of the sports medicine team at Holliday High School. She also provides personal training as well as nutrition counseling as a part of the wellness program at OSTC.

Tana says she loves OSTC because of the dynamic and energetic work environment and family atmosphere.  As someone who has dreamed of being an athletic trainer since she were fifteen years old, Tana says, "OSTC provides me with amazing challenges and opportunities to work and learn from the best of the best in the sports medicine world."  

OSTC is proud to announce that two of our young employees have graduated from college, Taylor Stanfill and Ryan Murray. 

Taylor has been a physical therapy technician with OSTC since 2014.  She graduated from Midwestern State University with a Biology Major and a minor in psychology.  Taylor is currently studying to take her CSCS, Certified Strength and Conditioning, test from the NSCA, National Strength and Conditioning Association, to begin working as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at OSTC.  Her ultimate goal is physical therapy school.  Congrats Taylor Stanfill, your OSTC family is proud of you!

Ryan graduated from MSU with his Business Management degree.  He too started working at OSTC as a physical therapy technician in 2014, and will continue working at OSTC in the business office.  Ryan plans to pursue a career in human resources.  Congrats Ryan we know you will do great!  OSTC also offers up congratulations to Ryan and his fiance, Kiley Beaver on their upcoming wedding this May!  

With the coming of spring, the urge to get outside and “do something” to alleviate cabin fever will be strong. After a winter of relative inactivity or virtual hibernation, it’s a good idea for the body to get a tune up to prepare it for the stresses of emerging gardening, biking and baseball season.

Even people who regularly participate in winter sports and recreational activities would do well to see a physical therapist before attempting strenuous landscaping or sports-related activities. People don’t use the same muscle sets for snowmobiling or skiing that they will utilize to fertilize the begonias, rollerblade or go hiking. Being mentally ready to do something isn’t the same as being physically fit enough to accomplish it.

The majority of individuals overestimate their fitness level. Simply going to the gym and working out over the winter won’t prepare a person for spring. To avoid repetitive motion injuries or damage to the neck and spine, the body must first be aligned properly and have the strength to perform when it’s called upon to do so.

Back and neck pain, and injuries resulting from repetitive motions required in golf, baseball and even swimming can result in sore, strained or sprained muscles and tendons. Injuries to hamstring muscles, the heel, knees, back and shoulders are also common and can require substantial time to heal.

Your physical therapist will ensure your neck and spine are in good posture, that will aid in reducing the risk of injury and relieve any pressure on the neurological system that can impair performance. A program of exercises will be developed that addresses your strengths and any areas of weakness. You’ll learn how to stretch and warm up properly before putting specific muscle groups into action.

People tend to eat less healthy fare in the winter. At OSTC, our professional staff includes certified fitness nutrition specialists who can help with your nutritional needs and recommend dietary supplements that help meet any deficits to provide you with specific nutrients for your selected activities. If you’ve had an injury in the past that has lingering effects, braces and other supportive aids are available to reduce the potential for another injury.

The therapies available through your physical therapist at OSTC are effective for improving performance and building strength, balance and coordination to reduce the risk of falls. Your therapist can provide suggestions for protective gear and proper footwear that offers the traction and support needed for specific activities.  OSTC can also fit you for custom orthotics to address any imbalances for comfort and to relieve pain.

Lifting, bend, twisting and turning can easily strain the muscles and tendons. The quick stops and starts of basketball and the pounding the body takes while jogging can be mitigated with physical therapy. Your physical therapist can show you new ways to move to perform tasks that will be easier on your body and reduce the risk of an injury.

Before spring actually arrives is the time to get your body tuned up and ready for the upcoming season. Spring is a time of invigorating possibilities and your body will be rejuvenated and ready for whatever the season brings after a visit to your physical therapist.

Most people throw themselves into spring activities wholeheartedly without regard for stretching or warming up first. Failure to prepare the body sufficiently before jogging or even cleaning the garage is the best way to incur an injury. The same rules for adults apply equally to youngsters participating in organized sports.

A physical therapist will help:

• Improve balance and coordination
• Increase endurance
• Build strength
• Aid in preventing falls and injuries
• Improve flexibility
• Improve performance

Those who visit the gym regularly may be able to lift an impressive amount of weight, but that ability won’t help with a rotator cuff injury. Even muscles that are conditioned need to be slowly acclimated to the increased workloads of spring. Wind resistance, tough terrain and inclement weather can all combine to create a challenging situation that won’t ever be experienced in an indoor gym or other facility.

At OSTC, our sports medicine team consists of sports certified physical therapists, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coaches that work together to build a program to suit your athletic needs.  OSTC specializes in sports and athletes, let us help you get you ready for spring sports.