Sports rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary field that works to treat and prevent injuries that commonly occur from participating in sports. So, when an athlete has an injury, working with a sports medicine professional can help them recover.
We’re going to show you some of the top things about sports medicine that you might not know.
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Who are Sports Medicine Professionals?
Essentially, professional sports rehabilitators help people suffering from illness, injury, or pain. Sports medicine doctors work with people of all ages to keep them healthy and pain-free. This process involves keeping their health and fitness in check, recovering from existing injuries, and preventing future injuries.
Sports medicine professionals consist of several roles, including physical therapists, athletic trainers, chiropractors, orthopedists, orthopedic surgeons, and massage therapists. Sports medicine’s goal is to return the patient to their original, pre-injury state, returning them to their activities.
Types of Sports-Related Injuries
There are a multitude of injuries in sports medicine. The most common injuries treated by a sports medicine specialist are sprains and strains. Sprains and injuries to ligaments result from overstretching or tearing. A strain is an injury to a muscle. Other conditions treated in sports medicine include fractures, arthritis problems, repetitive strain injuries, joint replacements, and general pain issues.
How Does Sports Medicine Work?
When a patient seeks treatment from a sports medicine professional, the first focus is on pain relief. Physical therapists usually take part in this process. Some pain relief options include ice/or heat applications and ultrasound and electrical stimulations.
The patient eventually works on muscle length. A significant component in this part of the process involves stretching and exercise routines. Stretching helps lengthen the muscles that have shortened because of injury or pain. With these treatments, muscles eventually return to normal length and can have pain-free motion.
These exercise routines use endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance to enhance performance. The process’s final step includes functional exercises to aid the athlete in returning or his or her previous performance level. These functional exercises are usually specific to the sport the patient participates.
10 Little-Known Facts About Sports Medicine
1. Prevention
You don’t just need to have an injury to seek a physical therapist. You can make an appointment for preventive care as well. Physical therapists show you how your body moves or doesn’t move correctly and the weaknesses present to cause pain in the future.
2. Sport-Specific Treatment
A physical therapist can examine your techniques in the sports you play. Your golf swing, baseball throw, running mechanics, and other sports movements can all get analyzed to determine what you’re doing wrong. They can tell you what you need to strengthen, stretch, or mobilize to repair your techniques and prevent injury.
3. Oncology
Physical therapists are dire in the recovery process of those who have had cancer. It helps guide you with techniques to regain your strength, mobility, and endurance. When recovering from a severe illness, physical therapy is excellent for your body and your mind.
4. Pregnancy
Physical therapists aid pregnant women to feel their best before and after delivery. Pregnant women experience many aches and pains as their body changes. Physical therapy can help keep them strong and the muscles and ligaments stretched out. Physical therapists teach stretches, tricks, and strengthening to help someone feel their best.
5. Dental Treatment
If you suffer from jaw pain, tooth pain, or headaches, physical therapy may help. Physical therapists teach how to close and open your mouth the right way and teach techniques to release muscles around your mouth, face, neck, and head that can tighten from poor posture or teeth grinding. Physical therapists help you understand how posture is affecting your teeth, jaw, head, and neck. They aid in solutions to fix these problems.
6. Balance
If your balance isn’t what it used to be, physical therapy can help. If you are more prone to falls these days, physical therapists can determine the specific causes and help you solve the issues. They have techniques that can help make your legs stronger, so you can feel steadier on your feet.
7. Incontinence
Physical therapists help with pelvic floor issues. These issues may involve pain or discomfort between your legs and cause incontinence. Some physical therapists do intravaginal examinations to help retrain pelvic floor muscles and improve normal bowel and bladder functions.
8. Work Ergonomics
Physical therapists can examine your work environment. They can examine your desk, computer, workstation, chair, and any other aspects that could be affecting your body. Then, they can offer solutions that’ll make your body feel better. Since you spend many hours at work during the day, you should ensure you are taking care of your body while you work. Doing so can help prevent chronic injuries and pain.
9. Delays in Development
Physical therapy can help your babies reach developmental milestones. Some children have issues with sitting up, tummy time, walking, crawling, and jumping. Some therapists have special training to work with babies and young children to help them get stronger and reach their developmental milestones.
10. Respiratory
Physical therapists also assist in breathing and heart issues. If you have a respiratory disease or have problems catching your breath, a professional can help. They can help recondition your lungs and help you feel strong again.
Sports Medicine is About More than Sports
You don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from the plethora of programs a Sports Medicine Specialist has at their disposal. Their stunning medical leaps can be used to benefit people from all walks of life to improve their health in a variety of ways.
Thunder Basin Orthopaedics has outstanding Sports Medicine staff to assist you with your sport medicine needs. Contact us today for more information about sports medicine or any of your orthopedic needs.