Michael Polascik joined the Sports Medicine South of Gwinnett team as the Physical Therapy Director in 2019.
Dr. Polascik has served as a clinic manager, physical therapist, and athletic trainer in the Atlanta area since 1986. Prior to his move to Atlanta, he was the head athletic trainer at Bethany College, as well as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at Virginia Tech—both schools where he also taught advanced athletic training courses. Dr. Polascik became an assistant professor at the University of North Georgia in 2017 and is currently a faculty member there.
Dr. Polascik is a Certified Athletic Trainer through the NATA, a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA, a US Weightlifting Federation Certified Level I Sport Performance Coach, a Certified Functional Movement System Professional, is certified in Dry Needling and in Myofascial Manipulation, is certified in Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, and is also certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy through the McKenzie Institute.
He is a certified Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapist through the North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy, is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists, and is certified through the APTA as a Credentialed Clinical Instructor.
As a member of the National Ski Patrol and being certified in Outdoor Emergency Care, Dr. Polascik has been volunteering as an Alpine Ski Patroller at Cataloochee Ski Resort in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, since 2011.