What Is a Sports Medicine Physician and What Do They Do?

For many athletes, there's nothing worse than being at the top of your game one day and sustaining a debilitating injury the next. 

That's why sports medicine is crucial among active people, whether you’re a beginner or a professional athlete. It'll help you efficiently recover from injuries and keep your athletic performance in check so you can focus on doing what you love worry-free.

Now, what is a sports medicine physician? This article will cover what sports medicine specialists do, the conditions they treat, and why you should visit one.

What Is a Sports Medicine Physician?

A sports medicine physician is a healthcare professional who specializes in helping injured athletes recover through sports injury rehabilitation. Furthermore, they also promote physical fitness and wellness, empowering people to live healthy, pain-free lives.

Sports doctors have attended medical school like any other medical practitioner. However, what differentiates them from, say, an orthopedic surgeon is that they not only treat injuries—they also ensure their patients recover and get back in the game quickly but safely. 

As such, these healthcare providers prioritize nonsurgical sports injury treatment options for musculoskeletal injuries over more invasive techniques.

What Do Sports Medicine Physicians Do?

Let's examine how these medical professionals help newbie athletes and professional sports teams recover from injuries.

Injury Diagnosis and Treatment

Like most medical professionals, sports medicine doctors use diagnostic imaging procedures like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays to assess and diagnose patients. That said, they also use physical examination techniques to complement these tests.

For instance, most sports medicine physicians use gait analysis to examine your pelvis, spine, and other joints to check for specific conditions and determine whether further testing is needed. Others also conduct aerobic endurance tests to evaluate your cardiovascular capacity.

Using these findings, they develop highly personalized treatment plans that will help you recover from an injury, like fractures, sprains, and overuse injuries, or prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

Since sports physicians provide treatment programs tailored to each patient, expect yours to guide you through every step of your rehabilitation process.

They'll closely monitor your progress and improve your program as needed. That way, you recover faster and improve your physique to minimize future injuries.

Even better, most sports doctors work with your athletic trainers and coaches to gain more personalized insights into your medical history, physical capabilities, and progress along your rehab program. They’ll then use this information to streamline your recovery plan further.

Preventative Care and Performance Optimization

Most athletes sustain injuries, but you can reduce the risk by strengthening your body and learning proper form.

Here is where a sports medical professional helps. If they find weak spots in your body that make you vulnerable to injury, they’ll develop a tailored exercise program to strengthen them.

The same goes for poor form or improper movement. A sports physician will examine your biomechanics to detect errors and inefficiencies. Afterward, they’ll help you correct them, reducing your chances of sustaining injuries down the line.

Collaborative Care with Chiropractors and Therapists

The great thing about having a sports medicine physician is you'll receive comprehensive medical care. After all, they work with several healthcare professionals to provide holistic treatment.

For example, many chiropractors specialize in sports medicine. They can often resolve joint and spinal problems like neck pain, herniated discs, and sciatica. Others work with physical rehabilitation specialists who will help improve your mobility following a debilitating sports-related injury. 

Conditions Treated by a Sports Medicine Physician

As specialists, sports medicine physicians treat various conditions most athletes sustain during intense physical activity. These acute injuries include:

• Tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Concussions
• Joint pain
• Muscle strains

Benefits of Seeing a Sports Medicine Physician

The advantages of seeing a sports medicine physician include the following:

• Faster Injury Recovery: Sports doctors create personalized treatment plans to enhance healing and speed up your return to sports.
• Nonsurgical Treatment Options: Physicians prioritize noninvasive procedures to minimize downtime and avoid surgical risks.
• Improved Athletic Performance: Sports doctors design training programs to boost strength, endurance, and flexibility.

When to See a Sports Medicine Physician

Seek a sports doctor as soon as possible if you experience the following:

• If your injury persists for over two weeks despite home treatments
• If your injury results from repetitive strain or overuse
• If your sports-related injury has become chronic
• If you have a concussion from athletic activity

Don't delay it further. Get the help you need and promptly return to doing what you love without putting your physical well-being on the line.

Get Back in Your Game with Core Health Spine & Rehabilitation

Now that we've answered the question, "What is a sports medicine physician?" you realize the importance of seeking medical help alongside physical activity. They’ll help you recover from injuries and improve your body, enabling you to become a better athlete than ever before.

If you're dealing with sports-related musculoskeletal issues, don't hesitate to reach out to Core Health Spine & Rehabilitation. We'll work with your sports physician to restore your body to its pain-free condition while strengthening it to minimize further injuries.

Schedule an appointment with us today!