When you are maintaining an active lifestyle, it’s essential to be proactive about taking care of your body. Not only is it necessary to manage aches and pains that occur, but you can also be diligent about preventing injuries.
A sports medicine doctor can be a great resource if you are an active athlete looking to speed up your recovery or improve your game. Adding specialized sports medicine services can be the edge you need to stay in the game and optimize your performance.
In fact, sports medicine for athletes is more than performance training and injury prevention. You can expect many more benefits while working with a sports medicine expert.
Sports Medicine Specialization
Visiting a doctor who specializes in sports medicine means that you are working with an expert. Not only do these doctors have orthopedic training, but they work with active athletes all day long.
These specialists are trained to treat and diagnose athletic injuries. Since they are focusing on these types of injuries specifically, you can be confident knowing that they have years of experience with other patients who have similar conditions.
Injury Prevention
Don’t wait until after an injury occurs before you see a sports medicine doctor. If you are proactive about this care, then you can actually prevent injuries before they happen.
Sports medicine providers understand what athletes are going through in the game and during training sessions. In addition to treating acute injuries, such as a torn ligament or broken bone, these doctors also understand how to handle chronic, repetitive-motion conditions.
When you are actively working with a sports medicine doctor, then you will receive advice on preventing injuries in the future. Additionally, your doctor will offer recommendations to help you avoid re-injury when you get back in the game.
Rehabilitation Support
Even if you are careful in the game, there is always the risk of injury. As an athlete, a seemingly minor injury can take you out of commission, making you miss the season and stop your training.
Most of the time, sports injuries will require a recovery and rehabilitation period. It’s essential that you follow the doctor’s orders because the suggested treatments will be vital to your recovery.
An experienced sports medicine doctor will know the best methods for speeding up your recovery, minimizing symptoms, and improving the long-term prognosis after an injury.
Cutting Edge Treatments
General healthcare providers spend time helping patients with a wide variety of health issues. However, since the doctors are spread thin, they don’t often have a specialty or focus, which means they might not have the latest information about specific conditions or treatments.
On the other hand, sports medicine doctors focus on sports injuries and treatments daily. So, they are up-to-date on the latest treatments and cutting-edge technology. Having access to this relevant information can be vital to speeding up your recovery and improving your overall outcome.
Mobility and Strength
In addition to strength, athletes also need mobility and flexibility to move with speed and agility. A sports medicine doctor works with athletes to improve their individual performance.
You will notice a difference when you are participating in sports activities. Additionally, it’s nice to feel the strength and mobility in all other areas of your life as well.
Personalized Care
One of the most notable benefits of working with a sports medicine provider is that you get a personalized care plan. It’s all about you!
Our team at Orthopedic Associates takes the time to understand the needs of each patient. Then, we design a care plan that is tailored to your condition, fitness, and goals. We look at physical strengths and weaknesses and find ways to support your performance through specialized training, certain equipment, and more.
Getting Back in the Game
Of course, you are anxious to return to the field as soon as possible. But recovery takes time.
Your sports medicine doctor will offer recommendations about when you can start playing again. This personalized timeline helps you avoid re-injury and also prevents compounding problems in the future.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s timing recommendations so you can prevent any issues that could take a toll on your performance and future participation.
Patient Education
One of the benefits of working with a sports medicine doctor is that these healthcare providers partner with their patients. Instead of simply prescribing medication and sending you home, a sports medicine expert works to educate each patient about things they can do before, during, and after sports.
A sports medicine doctor can be your primary care resource, especially if you are a semi-professional or pro athlete. Your provider can help with everything from nutritional counseling to preventive health screenings, diagnosis, and more.
Athletic Team
Not only do your coaches and trainers help with developing the necessary skills, but other professionals can also be critical in support of each athlete. Building a team you can trust means you always have someone to turn to when you have questions or need assistance.
A sports medicine doctor understands the unique dynamics faced by athletes. Our doctors work with other people on your athletic team, including trainers, physical therapists, surgeons, and more.
How to Know When You Need a Sports Medicine Doctor
There are a few circumstances in which an athlete will contact a sports medicine doctor:
- Injury: Something happened, and you sustained an injury. Whether you are in pain or your performance is being affected, it’s essential to visit a sports medicine doctor as soon as possible.
- Chronic Pain: Some athletes will live with chronic pain due to the wear and tear on the joints and throughout the body. A sports medicine professional can be a great resource if you are looking for ways to reduce the pain and feel better each day.
- Performance Improvements: You don’t need to be injured to visit a sports medicine doctor. Many athletes are proactive about this type of care so they can improve their performance, strength, and agility.
Sports Medicine Services for Pro and Recreational Athletes
You don’t need to be a professional athlete to benefit from sports medicine services. Our team of doctors helps pro athletes as well as recreational “weekend warriors.”
Whether you are training for your first marathon or hoping to go to the championship game, we are here to support your journey. Schedule a consultation to learn more about how sports medicine can be individualized for your unique needs.
At Orthopedic Associates, we provide each patient with a full-service approach for sports injuries, chronic pain, and more. Contact us when you are ready to book an appointment. Call at your convenience: (972) 420-1776.
