Professional athletes live a difficult life. To perform at their best in front of an audience, they must engage in intense training and exercises. These activities are important for athletes in order to keep fit, but they can also cause injury to their bodies. Sports medicine is a rapidly growing field of healthcare that treats injuries related to exercise and sports like dislocations, fractures, strains, tendonitis and overtraining syndrome, and other degenerative diseases. It focuses not only on injury treatment but also helps athletes prevent future injuries. It is a relatively new medical specialty but it has been deemed essential by athletes because of its ability to address their particular needs and concerns.
Who is a Sports Medicine Physician?
A sports medicine physician is a licensed individual who treats injuries related to athletic activities. They treat patients with physical therapy, orthopaedic surgery, massage therapy, and other methods so they can quickly return to their preferred activity level safely and effectively. Athletes are also taught nutrition to ensure their health and performance. Sports physiotherapists and sports massage therapists are part of the sports medicine team.
Common sports injuries:
A few of the most common injuries that athletes sustain on the field include ankle sprains, groin pulls, hamstring strains, knee injury and tennis elbow. They may also be more likely to have pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes, and allergies.
Here are some reasons to visit a sports medicine doctor:
- Customized Care
Specially trained healthcare professionals, sports medicine doctors have a deep understanding of the effects of exercise on patients’ bodies. They work with orthopaedic surgeons and physical therapists to create a personalized treatment plan for each patient.
- Injury Prevention
A sports physician can offer advice to athletes on how to avoid injuries in practice or play, and how to minimize the chance of an injury resurfacing. To determine if a patient is fit enough to return to sports, they also perform pre-participation physicals.
- Pain Management
Many sports injuries can lead to chronic pain and other orthopaedic problems that make it difficult for athletes to return to their sport or continue their activities. Although the main goal of sports physicians is to treat the injury and make it heal, they also offer pain management treatments like spinal decompression, electrical stimulation and prescription medication. This allows them to prevent or delay the need to have surgery, and allow their patients to continue with their normal activities.
- Rehabilitation
A return from injury can be difficult and time-consuming for athletes. A sports physician can help you quickly restore movement and function if you are injured and get you back to your normal fitness level.
- Improving Athletic Performance
To help you perform at your best, sports physicians can diagnose and treat any discomforts. They will also recommend exercises and techniques that can improve your strength, balance, and performance as an athlete.