Servicing the Ski Patrol team at Heavenly Ski Resort

Melanie Worthy, L.Ac. 
​Ski Injury Prevention and Recovery Specialist 
HeCares Integrative Medicine Center

For the past ten years, I have had the pleasure to work and volunteer as a ski patroller in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. Being a patroller entails much more than the general public may assume. There is a misconception that ski patrol pleasantly glides down the slopes all day! Skiing aside, the job in fact requires a high level of fitness as we shovel snow, pull sleds loaded with patients, carry a vest full of medical equipment, raise pads around the towers of chairlifts, adjust safety signage... All while wearing heavy boots, and in the thin air of high altitude. 

We are at the half-way point in the season and at this time, overuse injuries start to appear, unfortunate accidents also occur. Last weekend, I was happy to provide acupuncture treatments to my peers. Some had strained their backs, some needed much attention to their knees. I was able to set up shop amidst the first aid room, where we sometimes evaluate injured patrons. The experience was well received and will likely be repeated. For questions and appointments about consultations or treatments, please call (408) 720-1766. 

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