You would be forgiven for thinking that sports medicine physicians only work with athletes, however, this is not the case. A sports medicine physician can in fact be a great option for anyone with an active lifestyle. Not only is a sports medicine physician highly trained to diagnose and treat injuries affecting the musculoskeletal system, but they are also skilled educators and can help prevent injuries, improve nutrition, and maximize performance.
Find out more about the role of a sports medicine physician and how one could benefit you below.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Sports-Related Injuries and Orthopedic Conditions
A sports medicine physician can be a crucial professional in keeping an athlete in the best health possible and free from injuries, but they can also offer a number of benefits to anyone involved in sports or with an active lifestyle.
The primary role of a sports medicine physician is to diagnose and treat injuries and conditions caused by sports or physical activity that affects the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues.
A sports medicine specialist can treat sports injuries affecting every part of the body, including the head, neck, back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, foot, and ankle. Due to their in-depth knowledge and understanding of the mechanics of the body and how sports and activity affect it, they have a unique perspective in finding the most appropriate treatments for patients. Sports medicine physicians specialize in nonsurgical treatments. They use a range of different treatments and therapies to improve and resolve symptoms such as pain, swelling, limited flexibility, reduced function, and range of motion to allow patients to get back to their active lifestyle as quickly as possible.
Personalized Treatment Approach
Sports medicine physicians understand that each and every patient is unique and therefore has different needs and goals from that of others. To accommodate this, no two treatments are the same, and treatment is customized to suit the individuals’ personal circumstances, needs, and objectives.
If you have an injury or are experiencing symptoms such as pain, inflammation, or reduced range of motion, a sports medicine physician can diagnose, treat, and manage your injury and identify the underlying condition that may be affecting your physical performance. They will carry out an in-depth evaluation to get to the root cause of your symptoms. This may include blood tests or using diagnostic equipment, such as X-ray, ultrasound imaging, MRI, or Kinetisense 3D Analysis (a posture analysis system) to accurately assess and diagnose your condition and determine the best treatment for you. They can also offer guidance on when it is safe for you to return to play following an injury.
What Treatments Do Sports Medicine Physicians Provide?
Sports medicine physicians have the training, skills, and expert knowledge to treat a wide range of sports-related injuries and conditions. Specializing in nonsurgical treatments, they utilize a range of advanced therapies and techniques that are personalized to the patient’s unique needs in order to successfully treat their symptoms. This may include a wide range of treatments and therapeutic services, such as:
- Active release technique (ART)
- Chiropractic
- Custom orthotics
- Dry needling
- Fascial distortion model
- Graston technique
- High-intensity laser therapy
- IV nutrient therapy
- Massage therapy
- Myofascial release
- Neurokinetic technique
- Physical therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
- Prolozone therapy
- Shockwave therapy
- Stem cell therapy
- Spinal decompression
Treatment for Chronic Conditions
In addition to treating acute sports injuries, a sports medicine physician can also help if you have a chronic condition, such as arthritis, that is preventing you from enjoying your activities. They can work with you to improve symptoms, strengthen weak or injury-prone areas, and modify your technique to allow you to maintain your active lifestyle.
Arthritis can often be managed successfully with non-surgical treatment techniques, such as medications, supplements, Prolozone therapy, and high-intensity laser therapy. Chiropractic and physical therapy can also help to reduce biomechanical stress and strengthen muscles surrounding the affected joint.
Education in a Range of Areas
A sports medicine physician can educate both athletes and non-athletes in a range of areas, such as diet and nutrition, the best warmups and cool-downs for your specific sport, safe ways to exercise, condition, and build strength, and injury prevention.
If you are looking for a solution to improve energy levels or for nutrient replacement, a sports medicine physician can accurately assess any nutritional deficiencies and your aging status with tests, such as MicroNutrient and TruAge tests, to work out what your body needs. Your provider will then discuss your results and create a customized plan to address all your concerns.
Treatments such as IV and IM therapy can help provide a quick, direct, and effective way to get nutrients into the body to help boost energy levels and improve a variety of areas, such as immune health, fatigue, wound healing, athletic performance, the condition of hair, nails, and skin, and supporting weight loss.
Enhancing Performance and Keeping You In The Game
A sports medicine physician will work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that takes a holistic approach, rather than just focusing on an injury. They can help you maintain or enhance your fitness level and performance, particularly if you have been sidelined by an injury, so you can reach your maximum capabilities in the safest way possible.
Because a sports medicine physician has a unique understanding of how sports and exercise can impact the body, it means they can provide accurate guidance to strengthen injury-prone areas and prevent future injuries. They can assess aspects, such as your posture, gait, and technique, and work with you to identify areas that could be improved or modified to enhance athletic performance.
Their ultimate goal is to help you perform at your best, recover from your injury as quickly and safely as possible, and prevent reinjury, irrespective of your age and athletic skill level.
Best Sports Medicine Doctor in Dallas, TX
Whether you are a professional athlete or are someone with an active lifestyle looking to improve performance or prevent injuries, contact the experienced team of highly trained specialists at Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine. We specialize in a wide range of treatments and therapeutic services, such as chiropractic, orthotics, physical therapy, nutrient therapy, and regenerative medicine techniques to treat a variety of orthopedic injuries and conditions, allowing you to maintain an active lifestyle.
To learn more or to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists, call us at (972) 503-7272. Alternatively, you can schedule a consultation using our convenient online Scheduling App.