If you engage in any kind of sport – whether it’s softball, basketball, golf, tennis, bowling, etc. – there is a good chance that at some point, you’ll sustain some sort of injury. If you are injured severely enough to require medical assistance, it could take time for you to regain full strength and mobility.
That is where sports medicine comes into play. Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedic medicine. Commonly used to target and treat injuries to professional athletes, sports medicine can help anyone who has sustained a sports-related injury. Not only does it help you recover from your injury, but it also has some unexpected benefits worth noting. These include:
- Rehabilitation – Sports medicine can be helpful for any kind of physical injury. That includes injuries to your neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees, and ankles. Rehabilitation helps the injured area heal correctly while retaining or increasing your flexibility and range of motion. Stretches, exercises, and physical therapy are vital to ensure the joint or area doesn’t stiffen. Other areas of rehab include balance and fall therapy, massage, and occupational therapy. In addition to helping after an injury, rehabilitation with sports medicine can also help you improve your overall athletic performance. You may not have been performing at your full potential before due to poor nutrition, overtraining, or not properly warming up or cooling down before and after your activity. As a result, injuries may not have healed properly in the past. However, sports medicine can strengthen both your muscles and joints. As a result, you can experience the rewards of better movement even if you’re not an athlete.
- Preventive Care – Although rehabilitation is the main focus of sports medicine, preventive care is just as important. The goal is to improve and maintain your health, in order to avoid future injuries. This is accomplished through a variety of wellness programs that not only include plenty of exercises, but also dietary discussions and information about nutritional benefits. This whole-body approach may even include some sports psychology.
- A Wide Application – Sports medicine is designed to diagnose, treat, heal, and manage injuries. But its numerous treatments and exercises can be used for a variety of injuries, illnesses, and other disorders. This general approach, combined with specific therapies, is what makes sports medicine applicable to practically anyone. Whether you are an athlete, only an occasional exerciser or someone who isn’t all that active, the principles of sports medicine can be used in multiple situations.
- Personal Training – Sports medicine provides you with the opportunity to benefit from the guidance and encouragement of a personal trainer. Personal training is about more than losing weight or building muscle. It often includes elements of sports psychology and dietary discussions aimed at enhancing your overall health. Also, having a personal trainer can help you establish your own personal sense of perseverance and self-discipline. A personal trainer will work with you on a highly individualized level, discovering your personality type and work ethic to help you reach your goals.
If you are suffering from any type of painful injury, you may benefit from the approaches and therapies of sports medicine. Call the specialist at Movement Orthopedics at (586) 436-3785 for more information about this rehabilitative option, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation.
