Congratulations to Jacob Roberts from Buckhorn High School. He is the TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center Athlete of the Week for January 2023!
Jacob Roberts
Buckhorn High School
Archery
3.9 GPA
-Selected as Archery Team Member / High School Archery Team Representative for Alabama State and National Competition
-“A” Honor Roll Member / Recognized AP Scholar / National Honors Society Member / 4x Easton Academic Archer
-Eagle Scout / Active Member and Acolyte of local church / Selected to serve as Alabama DeMolay / 100+ Volunteer Hours
Congratulations to Ava McIntosh from Huntsville High School. She is the TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center Athlete of the Week for January 2023!
Ava McIntosh
Huntsville High School
Cross Country / Track
4.18 GPA
-5-Year Varsity Team Member / 4×800 Relay State Champion / Cross Country State Runner-Up
-Academic Honor Roll / AP & Honors Curriculum / National Honors Society / National Science, Latin, History & Math Society
-Preschool Church Volunteer/Leader / NHS Community Service Club Leader / Mana House Volunteer / Panther Camp Volunteer
Congratulations to Chris Kang from James Clemens High School. He is the TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center Athlete of the Week for January 2023!
Chris Kang
James Clemens High School
Football
4.0 GPA
– Varsity Football Team Member / Varsity Football Team Captain / Starter on First Undefeated Team in School History
-“A” Honor Roll Member / National Honors Society Member / Red Cross Club Member / Scholar Athlete Award Winner
-High School Football Camp Volunteer / Angel Tree Volunteer / Nursing Home Volunteer and Performer
Congratulations to Faith Burgess from Priceville High School. She is the TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center Athlete of the Week for January 2023!
Faith Burgess
Priceville High School
Majorette / Baton / Band
4.23 GPA
-3-Year HS Majorette Captain / Highly Decorated Competitive Twirler w/ multiple awards and titles / Honor Band Participant
-National Society of HS Scholars / National Honors Society / EDGE Leadership Program (Morgan Co) / FCCLA Member
-4X Presidential Volunteer Award Winner – Earning 100+ Hours / Church Youth Group Volunteer / Baton & Dance Instructor
It’s common knowledge that the spine serves many essential functions: it helps you stand tall, sit comfortably, and move with ease. Whether you are a football player or a retired school teacher, spine injuries can be devastating. Nobody likes to have a “pain in the back.” You want to take good care of your spine to maintain quality of life, mobility, and independence.
Some common and not-so-common spine issues:
Issues with discs. Injuries can occur in any section of your spine: Neck (cervical), Thoracic (mid-back), and/or Lumbar (lower back). These discs can herniate, tear, and degenerate. The causes of such injuries vary greatly. Degeneration and tears can happen with normal wear and tear from aging, while herniation can result from lifting, twisting, pulling, or some other movement.
Pinched nerves. A nerve can become pinched if there’s too much pressure on it. That can be the result of something pushing on it, like muscle, tendon, cartilage, or even bone. When a nerve is pinched, it can cause tingling, numbness, or discomfort.
Sciatica. The sciatic nerve runs along your back and down to the legs. When that nerve sustains an injury, it can become very uncomfortable. Pain can be felt in the back, legs, and bottom, and the discomfort has been known to hinder common regular motion.
Scoliosis. Kids, adolescents, and those who have arthritis might find that their spine has developed an abnormal curve. This curve can create pressure and discomfort that may affect the back and lower extremities.
Bracing. Some patients find stability and comfort in a corset-like brace. The brace goes around the back and stomach and can provide additional support where needed.
Injections. Several forms of injections can bring relief. Facet injection is primarily performed for chronic neck and back pain due to spondylarthrosis. An epidural injection may relieve radiating arm or leg pain caused when a nerve in the spine is inflamed or compressed (“pinched nerve”).
Medication. Pain and inflammation can often be managed with prescription and over-the-counter medications. These may include steroids and narcotics.
Physical Therapy. With exercise, active therapy, massage, electrical stimulation, heat, ice, or ultrasound, trained practitioners can help alleviate spinal discomfort.
Pay attention to your posture and stretch regularly. Move carefully, with intention, and watch for signs your spine might need attention.
At TOC, we have your back and are here if you need us.
Congratulations to Tyson Sexton from Scottsboro High School. He is the TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center Athlete of the Week for December 2022!
Tyson Sexton
Scottsboro High School
Basketball / Track
4.0 GPA
-2X All-Area and All-Regional Basketball Team Member / 3rd Team All-State / Top-5 Scorers in School History / Varsity Track
-“A” Honor Roll Member / National Honor Society Member / Beta Club Member / 6-Time Gold Card Recipient
-Boys State Member / Alan Lott Award for Outstanding Character / “I Dare You” Leadership Winner for Service
Congratulations to Sofia Roberts from Grissom High School. She is the TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center Athlete of the Week for December 2022!
Sofia Roberts
Grissom High School
Swimming
4.44 GPA
-Top 3 in 100M Breaststroke for 3 Years / 2021 State Champ (100M Breaststroke) / Junior National Swim Meet Participant
-Top 2% of Graduating Class / A Honor Roll / National Honor Society Member/ Jr Civitan Member / HOSA State Qualifier
-“Swim 4 Success” Volunteer (Swim lessons to less fortunate kids) / Kidney Foundation volunteer / ASL for Innovative Teens
Anyone who has ever experienced the jolt of pain doing something mundane like tying their shoes or pulling weeds understands how debilitating lower back pain can be. Once it happens, it can become a chronic problem that prevents you from enjoying life.
Congratulations to Maddox Dorning from Ardmore High School. He is the TOC Sports and Huntsville Hospital Sports Center Athlete of the Week for December 2022!
Maddox Dorning
Ardmore High School
Football / Basketball
3.95 GPA
– 2x All-County & All-Area Basketball Team member / 2x All-County Tournament Basketball / Varsity Football Starter & Captain
-A/B Honor Roll Member / Beta Club member / Voted as AP Scholar
-First National Student Advisory Board member (Community Service Project) / Student Government Vice President
It’s common knowledge that the 
