Anybody who has an injury will surely wonder which type of medical professional can give them the best possible care and start them on the road to recovery. Primary care physicians, while they can treat some injuries, are not specially trained – meaning, their training was not focused on learning about sports injuries and how to quickly and effectively treat them. Doctors with specialized training are called sports medicine doctors or sports doctors.
Let’s talk more about the differences between a sports medicine doctor and a general physician.
General Physician
A general physician is a medical doctor who provides primary care for patients with common medical problems. General physicians can be either family doctors or internists, depending on their training and practice focus.
They treat patients of all ages with a wide variety of health concerns, including minor injuries such as strains and sprains, muscle pulls, and simple fractures. General physicians can apply a splint, cast, or brace over fractures and recommend the RICE method and physical therapy for soft tissue injuries.
However, the specialty of a general physician is acute illnesses, prevention services, and chronic disease management – not sports medicine. Therefore, they cannot offer all of the advanced, specialized, and state-of-the-art treatments necessary for athletes or highly active individuals to return to a high-performing lifestyle.
Sports Doctors
A sports medicine doctor is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and illnesses related to physical activity. Their patient population includes both amateur and professional athletes, as well as people who exercise for fun or fitness. Sports medicine doctors are often members of a team of healthcare professionals that work together to help an athlete recover from an injury and return to their sport.
During their training, sports medicine doctors learn how to assess and treat injuries sustained during physical activity. They also learn about exercise physiology and nutrition, which can help prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. In addition, sports medicine doctors receive training in concussion management and other areas specific to athletes’ health needs.
Sports doctors treat all types of sports injuries to the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, including strains and sprains, fractures, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries, shin splints, Achilles tendon injuries, rotator cuff injuries, and dislocations. Some of the treatments they use include ultrasound therapy, massage therapy, dry needling, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, prolozone therapy, chiropractic medicine, and physical therapy.
In addition to treating injuries, sports medicine doctors can also help with enhancing athletic performance through individualized conditioning and exercise programs.
For the expert treatment of sports injuries and for better athletic performance, choose a sports medicine doctor for your care.
Experienced Sports Medicine Doctors in Dallas, TX
The team of sports injury specialists at Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine would love to help you achieve optimal physical fitness. Our practice is headed by sports medicine doctor, Dr. Camille Reagan, and together, our focus is on treating injured athletes, weekend warriors, and other active individuals using proven and advanced non-surgical methods and a personalized approach.
We have a reputation for providing unparalleled sports medicine treatments in Dallas and Fort Worth. To schedule an appointment with us, call our office today at (972) 503-7272, or use our convenient online request form.
