When you think of sports medicine, you probably think of doctors for professional and Olympic-level athletes. While this isn’t incorrect, it leaves out the majority of sports medicine physicians whose patients can include professional athletes, teens involved in sports, and people of any age who simply enjoy being active. If you fall into any of these categories, or somewhere in between, seeing a sports medicine doctor can provide many benefits.
What is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine refers to an area of medicine that manages physical fitness as well as the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. If you become injured during exercise or while playing your preferred sport, you’ll likely want to get back to your routine and athletic pursuits as soon as possible. Being treated by a sports medicine doctor will enable you to do just that, thanks to their specialized training and expertise.
Sports medicine doctors are also skilled at preventing illness and injury in both children and adults with active lifestyles. They can even help provide preventive care for people with physically demanding jobs.
In addition to this, a sports medicine doctor will also help you learn how to exercise safely and effectively to achieve optimum performance. For example, a sports medicine physician may suggest strength training certain muscles that they have noticed lack strength or toning.
Finally, a sports medicine doctor will also help you learn how to stay in shape while recovering from and caring for your injury.
The Difference Between a Sports Medicine Doctor and Orthopedic Surgeon
While both sports medicine doctors and orthopedic surgeons are skilled in musculoskeletal medicine, a sports medicine doctor specializes in the non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Orthopedic surgeons, of course, are trained in the operative treatment of these same conditions. However, research shows that 90% of sports injuries don’t require surgery.
Because they’re trained in the non-operative treatment of these conditions, sports medicine physicians are able to maximize non-operative treatment. They can also guide patients with appropriate referrals to physical or occupational therapists. Finally, if necessary, a sports medicine doctor can also expedite referral to an orthopedic surgeon.
While all of these things make sports medicine doctors well suited to treat athletes, they also make these doctors a great option for non-athletes as well. They’re excellent resources for any patient who would like to safely begin an active lifestyle or exercise program.
Whether a sports medicine doctor is treating a competitive athlete, “weekend warrior”, or “industrial athlete”, the same expertise is used to get the patient back to being fully functioning as quickly as possible.
How a Sports Medicine Doctor can Benefit Any Patient
Because of their expertise in treating musculoskeletal conditions using non-operative methods, seeing a sports medicine doctor for your injuries is a great option. Even if you only exercise recreationally or simply would like to improve your overall fitness level in a safe way, sports medicine can help.
Further, regardless of your athletic ability, sports-related injuries are actually very common. Joints like the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle can easily become injured while exercising or working a physically demanding job. A sports medicine physician will be equipped to diagnose and treat these injuries and more. Whether the injury is caused by a sudden accident, overuse, or overtraining, sports medicine is the most effective way to treat injuries such as:
- Fractures
- Tendonitis
- Tennis elbow
- Golfers elbow
- Arthritis
- Knee bursitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Achilles tendon tear
- Sprains and strains
- Ankle instability
Sports medicine doctors are also up to date on the latest non-surgical and surgical treatments available for these conditions. They may focus on non-operative treatment, but when surgical treatment is required, they can provide the most advanced treatment.
Here’s a look at some of what a sports medicine doctor can offer.
Preventive Care
A sports medicine doctor will educate you on how you can properly prepare for exercise or a specific sport to reduce your risk of injury. Your doctor may also focus on strengthening certain areas of your body that are particularly vulnerable when playing a certain sport. This will stabilize all areas of your body and prevent injuries from occurring. This will also prevent you from reinjuring any previously damaged areas.
New & Innovative Treatments
Anyone that is used to leading an active lifestyle prefers getting back to being active as soon as possible to a lengthy recovery process. Sports medicine doctors understand this, which is why they offer the most innovative treatments and procedures, including cell-based therapies, orthobiologics, and minimally invasive procedures. These treatments allow patients to have a shorter recovery period and won’t limit their mobility once they’ve fully healed.
Customized Program
Whether you want to improve your technique in a particular sport, endurance, build muscle, or lose weight, a sports medicine doctor will help you create a customized program to reach your goals. This may include therapeutic and strengthening exercises for vulnerable areas of your body, advice for techniques that will prevent injury when active, endurance training, nutrition and diet, and helping you improve your motivation and self-discipline.
All of these reasons and more are why you should choose a sports medicine doctor if you’re an athlete or someone that enjoys a casual active lifestyle.
Get Help from a Sports Medicine Doctor in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
Anyone who is physically active is at risk of developing any number of orthopedic injuries, regardless of their level of physical fitness. Because of its comprehensive focus on both sports and exercise, a sports medicine doctor can help anyone, not just elite athletes. Working with a sports medicine physician will enhance your lifestyle and help you prevent injuries rather than simply treat them once they’ve developed.
At the Center for Sports Medicine and Wellness, our doctors are authorities in leading-edge orthobiologic treatments and advanced sports medicine. However, our patients don’t have to be professional athletes to get these treatments. We focus on providing an exceptional sports medicine experience for all of our patients, regardless of age or level of fitness. Our focus is on non-operative care through the use of cell-based therapies and orthobiologic treatments, but our doctors are also well-versed in the newest minimally invasive procedures. Whatever your condition, we’ll create the right treatment program to get you back to being active.
If you’d like to learn more about our services or contact us to schedule an appointment, please call our office in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, at (610) 459-420 or fill out our form. We welcome your inquiry and we look forward to helping you with your sports medicine needs!