Sports medicine doctors help both professional and amateur athletes perform more efficiently and safely. Risk management and injury prevention comprise a lot of what these specially trained doctors do for patients of all ages and performance levels.
Let’s talk about the services offered by a sports medicine doctor to improve an athlete’s performance and where you can find the best sports medicine doctor in San Antonio, TX.
Who Is a Sports Medicine Doctor?
A sports medicine doctor may practice at an orthopedic clinic, hospital, large medical center, or as part of a sports organization. This physician is trained and board-certified in internal, family, or emergency medicine. He or she then sub-specializes in sports medicine, taking care of people who are physically active or who engage in a specific sport regularly–either professionally or on the amateur level.
What Does a Sports Medicine Doctor Treat?
A sports medicine doctor treats numerous musculoskeletal issues which arise from continued physical activity. These include soft tissue injuries, such as tendonitis or a torn ACL or rotator cuff, as well as nerve pain, bone fractures, concussions, joint dislocations, and more.
Both surgical and non-surgical treatments may comprise an athlete’s treatment plan. Plus, the sports medicine doctor watches for the psychological issues which so often accompany the passionate pursuit of athletic activity–depression, anxiety, eating disorders, sleep problems, and more.
How Does a Sports Medicine Doctor Improve Performance?
A sports medicine doctor evaluates the physical and psychological capacities of the individual athlete–whether professional or amateur. He does periodic well-athlete examinations and establishes baselines for muscular strength, coordination, balance, cardiovascular endurance, and even mental toughness. Based on findings, the sports physician works with the individual to:
- Maintain physical health
- Decrease risk of injury
- Keep a positive mental attitude
To achieve these personalized goals, the sports medicine doctor makes very specific recommendations on a variety of issues, including:
- How to improve posture and ergonomics specific to the sport
- Conditioning, especially cardiovascular endurance
- Nutrition (healthy eating) and hydration prior to and during workouts
- Vitamins and supplements to preserve electrolyte levels and muscle, nerve, and soft tissue flexibility and strength
- Avoidance of tobacco, vaping, alcohol, and illegal drugs (recreational and performance-enhancing doping)
Your sports medicine doctor will take the time to get to know you as a person, understand your health issues, focus you on proper training, and, if necessary, direct rehabilitation from an acute or chronic condition.
Patient-centered Care at The Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
At our San Antonio orthopedic facility, it’s our privilege to offer excellent sports medicine evaluations and treatments, along with our wide range of general and surgical orthopedic services. We look forward to understanding your needs and goals so you can continue to train safely.
Call us for a one-on-one consultation with one of our expert physicians:(210) 692-7400, or request your visit online.
