What is sports medicine? It is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and injuries caused by sports and exercise. Sports medicine doctors deal with the most common conditions of cardiovascular disease, psychiatry, ophthalmology, and gynecology. A sports medicine doctor can also treat non-athletes. Read on to learn more.
Sports Medicine
Although there are many different types of doctors, sports medicine Mississauga, ON specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries related to physical fitness. A sports medicine specialist is trained in the prevention and diagnosis of sports injuries and the management and rehabilitation of chronic illness. In addition, sports medicine practitioners help people improve their overall health and physical fitness and avoid injury through proper nutrition and physical therapy.
Treatment of sports injuries and illnesses involves both conservative and surgical approaches. Treatment for acute injuries can involve a physical examination and may include the use of drugs, physical therapy, and other therapies. Surgery may be necessary if the injury is severe or does not respond to non-surgical treatments. A sports medicine specialist can also treat non-musculoskeletal problems due to overuse, including stress fractures and tendonitis.
Treats Sports-Related Injuries
The field of sports medicine focuses on treating and preventing injuries associated with exercise and sports. The team often includes medical and non-medical specialists such as nutritionists, personal trainers, and coaches. In addition, they may also offer other services. The scope of sports medicine is still unclear, and its future development is not guaranteed. However, there are some promising signs of future development.
Treats Non-Athletes
You might consider seeing a sports medicine doctor if you’re not an athlete but still suffer from musculoskeletal problems. They’re specially trained to treat and manage musculoskeletal injuries in athletes and non-athletes. Sports medicine physicians commonly treat injuries such as meniscal tears, ACL tears, knee strains, and tendonitis. In addition, sports medicine doctors evaluate and treat concussions.
In addition to treating athletes, sports medicine doctors treat patients with various non-athletic conditions. For example, in addition to acute injuries, they treat injuries resulting from repetitive movements or improper training. Common types of non-athlete injuries include knee and ankle sprains, muscle strains, and shoulder dislocations. In addition, those who practice sports medicine may benefit from referrals to mental health therapists to address their injury’s emotional and psychological aspects.
Non-Surgical Treatment
The most common sports injuries involve the elbow and ankle. In addition, cervical spine problems are often treated nonsurgically in the athletic population. While some of these injuries can heal independently, many people require surgery. After an injury, it is recommended that you avoid resuming physical activity until the condition has fully healed.
A sports medicine doctor can help pinpoint underlying medical issues contributing to the injury. Overtraining syndrome, nutritional deficiencies, and thyroid disorders are some of the common causes of these problems. Sports medicine doctors are also trained to explore surgical treatments with you. Sports medicine specialists can work with orthopedic surgeons for a comprehensive evaluation when necessary. Some sports medicine doctors have expertise in treating all types of musculoskeletal conditions.
Improves Athlete’s Quality of Life
The field of sports medicine is devoted to the improvement of a sports person’s health. It is becoming more important than ever as health risks associated with sports increase. Physical activities can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, obesity, and colon cancer. In addition, low cardiorespiratory fitness is a known predictor of morbidity and mortality. With advances in sports medicine, people who play or watch sports can enjoy longer and healthier lives.
Several positive effects of sports are attributed to the physical activity involved. Other positive effects of sports are secondary to the physical benefits. These secondary benefits are related to the psychosocial and personal development of young people involved in sports.
