Sports medicine is fairly new when someone considers medicine itself covers centuries. Now, the specialty is finding a home among a variety of practices, including Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine. These professions and provider choices are likely places to discover to find the newest and most reliable improvement that the field has ever seen.
Physician Practices
To be a sports medicine doctor, a person is required to get a degree in medicine; then they must complete more training and a residency in sports medicine specifically. Each doctor should be licensed to practice medicine and there are several types of doctors working in this type of medicine such as an orthopedic surgeon who works on some of the worst injuries that need invasive care. Others like sports psychologists tackle the stress that goes along with being an athlete. Doctors in this specialty diagnose and treat injuries they also advise and put together plans for someone to reach optimum health through sports and physical activities.
Physical Therapy Services
Physical therapists help people recover from injuries, surgeries, and aid in rehabilitation. A Master's degree is needed to become a therapist while a physical therapy assistant does not. A physical therapy assistant works with the therapist to put the treatment plan into action; this therapist will use various treatments to make sure someone regains mobility, returns to activities, and eases pain. They find exercises that will not only strengthen but increase movement; heat and cold therapy, as well as massage, are included to assist in recovery. A therapist can bring in other treatments like ultrasound on a case by case basis. Walkers and canes are the aides most seen in the field, but unconventional items are just as likely to be included. One of those less likely creations is the new wave of crutches that bend underneath the leg for better stability and provide more movement options during healing.
Athletic Training
An athletic trainer is not a personal trainer; they work with other medical professionals such as doctors, physical therapists. Education requirements include a Bachelor's or even a Master's degree. Depending on the state, they may need to be licensed to operate and work with patients. For athletes, a trainer coordinates with coaches and teams to take care of them. They come up with a plan when there are injuries, so the recovery period is not long for patients with standard conditions. Trainers also work to see people are educated on how to stay well and keep from getting injuries.
Clinical Exercise Physiology
A clinical exercise physiologist is not limited to the hospital setting but can be found in clinics, doctor's offices, and their own practice. They have a Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology and are certified to care for patients. These professionals focus on people with cardiopulmonary as well as anyone with chronic diseases. CEPs want to enhance the quality of life for those with diseases as well as manage it. Each case is different, so an individual plan with goals is done for each person. The individual attention to detail provides tailored solutions that emphasize healing over quick results.
