Sports and exercise medicine (SEM) is commonly referred to as sports medicine and surrounds exercise and sports-related health and wellness. This branch of medicine focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses linked to sports and exercise.
In this post, we will explore the intricacies of sports and exercise medicine, its importance, the different sports medicine specialists, and more.
Need to Know about Sports Medicine
It is used primarily to help athletes safely exercise and attain maximum fitness and training goals with as few injuries or accidents as possible. Also, it can be used to combat numerous injuries, including but not limited to:
- Overtraining syndrome
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Strains
- Sprains
- Degenerative diseases
- Tendonitis
- Cartilage injury
- Eating disorders
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Concussions
The Importance of Sports Medicine
The conditions and injuries listed above that are managed by sports medicine are enough to give you a good idea of why there is a need and a growing one at that, for sports medicine and its care providers. However, let’s further explore why this medical discipline is essential.
- Injury and Reinjury Prevention: in the field of sports, almost every athlete is injured at least once in their life, and even if it is a mild injury, improper management can significantly affect their future in whatever sport they engage in. Therefore, it facilitates care using specialized professionals that help to provide amateur and professional athletes with expert directives and advice on preventing injuries and re-injuring a previously affected area. These care providers offer education that is useful and applicable to play, training, and exercise routines.
- Better Performance for Athletes: with a reduction in the number of injuries and re-injuries an athlete faces, plus, more effective exercise and physical therapy plans, it is only natural that their performance levels improve. In this field, the care specialists are trained to develop personalized care plans to suit the precise needs of each person, and that therefore means the real issues and weaknesses are addressed using that athlete’s strength.
- Top-tier Treatment Options: being in a specialized facility can only mean that everything within that facility is specific to the discipline that it addresses, so, you can expect the best form of care. In a good sports medicine center, you should be able to receive multiple treatment options of cutting edge, such as reconstructive surgical techniques, procedures, surgeons, and equipment like stem cell therapy.
Our Healthcare Specialists
Sports medicine has its own list of specialists who deal primarily or completely with only sports-related health concerns. As such, within this medical discipline, you may find sports nutritionists, sports orthopedists, sports psychologists, sports physicians, trainers, and physical therapists. Additionally, you will find that within sports medicine, there is sports science, which deals with the clinical research aspect of exercises and sports.
When to Call a Healthcare Provider
If you suspect that you or an athlete has suffered a concussion, dislocation, fracture, tear, or another major injury, reach out for immediate medical assistance. Signs of these may be confusion, loss of balance, inability to touch or apply pressure to the affected area, pain, swelling, and numbness.
It’s better to miss one game than the whole season. Our Sioux Center and Hull Sports Physical Therapists are here to help you. From start to finish, we have what it takes to get you back in the game better, faster, and stronger.
For more information, visit siouxcenterhealth.org or call either of our therapy centers in Sioux Center (712.722.8125) or Hull (712.439.2266)