What Is Sports Medicine?
From weekend warriors to elite athletes, sports medicine deals with the prevention and treatment of injuries relating to exercise and sports. People of all ages can benefit from sports medicine. The biggest misconception is that sports medicine is only for elite athletes. In addition it can be beneficial for anyone who is active and wants to protect and heal their body. Being active is a great way to improve physical health. Nutrition also helps improve a person’s physical health.
Another misconception about is only needing it when injured. This is not the case with sports medicine. This branch of health care is concerned not only with injury treatment but with preventative strategies. If you are wanting to go to the Olympics or just wanting to become more physically active, sports medicine professionals are ready to help you.
Who can provide help?
Various aspects of sports medicine are performed by doctors, physical therapists, certified athletic trainers, and nutritionists. Each specialist provides help in different ways. Each professional can provide a different way to help. Understanding what each professional can do will help chose what person you visit.
For example, a certified athletic trainer can put together a workout program. This will involve aerobic and anaerobic exercises for someone who wants to enjoy the health benefits of losing weight. A trainer can also put together a plan for an elite swimmer to do outside of the pool to maximize speed and endurance in the pool.
First, a nutritionist will help you understand what foods best provide energy for your body. Nutritionists can also help athletes maintain a healthy weight to help them perform to the best ability as well as help an average person lose weight. Physical therapists help people recover after an injury. As part of their treatment, physical therapists provide specific exercises to prevent injury recurrence. Certified athletic trainers focus on the physical movement of the body and how to maximize performance. Each professional needs to do extra training in order to receive a certificate in sports medicine.
Fears
One of the biggest reasons people have for not seeing a sports medicine professional is fear. In addition the average person is afraid to try new things. They are afraid that they are not “fit enough” to see a sports medicine professional. For athletes, one big fear is potentially being told they can never play their sport again due to a catastrophic injury. Athletes also are more prone to injury if they do not seek out and listen to sports medicine professionals.
In order to perform at your body’s fullest potential, following a carefully balanced diet and proper warmup routine is essential to best prevent injury. Unfortunately, despite your best efforts, injuries can still happen. In this case, a sports medicine professional is the best place to start. A sports medicine professional understands the relationship between the body and physical movement. They will take all factors into consideration to get you back into action as soon a possible.
Sports
There is always competition when it comes to sports. It is the same when it comes to sports medicine. Once an injury happens an athlete is trying to get back to full health as soon as possible. Most injuries in athletes are in the muscles and joints. Some of these injuries could have been prevented if an athlete practiced preventative care. Having a trained professional who specializes in muscles and joints to look at an injury will help find the best care in the fastest way possible. If things are done correctly, then injuries will heal properly and quickly. Sports medicine professionals will also work with athletes for months after an injury to make sure everything is healing properly.
Types Of Injuries.
- Jumper’s knee.
- Little League elbow.
- Rotator cuff injuries.
- Runner’s knee.
- Shin splints
- Sprains
Importance Of Sports Medicine
Importantly, injuries can cause major strain to the body. Physical injuries could have long-term physical complications. An improperly healed injury can reduce future performance. For instance, fractures can cause joint pain in the body and left untreated can form arthritis. A sprain in the muscle can lead to a tear and require surgery. After an injury it’s important to stay active but still allow time for your body to heal.
Rehabilitation consists of different exercises and sequences proven to help restore the body back to its pre-injury condition. Rehabilitation starts with rest to help the rest of the body recover. Next a sports medicine professional will work on getting strength back into the body and movement of the joints. Getting movement back in the joints is important to fully recover, then work on getting back coordination between body parts. A sports medicine professional has an understanding of the best treatments to heal the body the fastest.
Where to go in Utah County For Sport Medicine
In Utah County, Alpine Physical Therapy has therapists who are certified in sports medicine. They treat any type of athletic injury. Alpine Physical Therapy is educated on preventative and restorative care. They focus on quickly getting someone back to playing sports in no time. Alpine Physical Therapy treats ankle sprains/fractures, knee and shoulder injuries, tendonitis, cartilage damage, and other maladies. Sport-related injuries will be diagnosed and treated by a team of dedicated physical therapy professionals. Based in Alpine, Utah making Alpine Physical Therapy convenient to anyone looking for a local sports medicine professional in Utah County.