What Is Sports Medicine?
Sports refers to any physical activity performed for the purpose of exercise or recreation. Sports are played either individually or in teams. There is even a word in the English language that encompasses all of the words associated with sports, which is “sport.” The dictionary definition is “the participation in competitive sports.”
Sports is usually defined as a physical activity involving a level of physical exertion, such as basketball or netball. Many other types of sports and some recreational activities are also recognized as sports. An athlete in a particular sport is known as a sportsman. Many individuals participate in sports as a hobby or even to earn a little money.
There are numerous health benefits to participating in sports and especially sports medicine healthcare providers can provide additional assistance for athletes, sports enthusiasts, and weekend warriors alike. For the most part, athletes are aware that the sport they are participating in will increase their risks of injury and that they may need additional training and practice to keep them fit. A sports medicine specialist provides additional instruction, advice, and recommendations to help an individual stay healthy while sporting or participating in their chosen sport. Sports medicine specialists perform diagnostic tests on an individual to determine what type of treatment may be needed and to alleviate any injuries, pain, or disabilities that may be related to sports or athletic activities.
During rehabilitation, a sports medicine healthcare provider may work closely with an athlete or sports enthusiast to help them rebuild their strength and to improve their speed, agility, and balance. These healthcare professionals often provide counseling services to help with stress levels and to help an individual to reduce any type of isolation or depression that may result from their participation in sports. Individuals who have suffered from previous injuries, bone diseases, or similar conditions may find that going to a sports medicine specialist is the first step towards feeling healthy again. A sports medicine specialist may also recommend physical therapy or orthopedic treatment if the injured person doesn’t feel comfortable going back to sports immediately.
For some individuals who are passionate about sports and active in them on a daily basis, their healthcare needs will be a little different than those who don’t have a passion for sports or exercise. In these cases, sports medicine healthcare providers will focus on preventing injuries to the bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons that can result from a sports-related activity. This can include preventing ligament tears, strengthening muscles and tendons, preventing injuries to the tendons, and preventing any type of joint inflammation or degeneration. In the case of an athlete or participant in sports, an additional goal is to prevent any type of traumatic brain injury that can occur from a blow to the head or a fall.
The field of sports medicine has come a long way from its origins as a medical profession set up to help athletes recover from injuries received during sporting events. Today, a sports medicine healthcare provider can help a patient suffering from a sports related injury to rehabilitate safely through a wide range of therapeutic techniques. An athlete or participant in sports can visit a sports medicine specialist for consultation and diagnosis of his or her situation. Then the sports medicine healthcare provider can develop an effective treatment plan for the patient, which may include exercise instruction, massage therapy, physical rehabilitation, or a combination of these techniques. If a sports-related injury is diagnosed early and the right care is provided, the patient may be able to return to sports as soon as the injury is healed.