WHAT IS SPORTS MEDICINE?
Sports medicine is a focus of medicine that deals with rehabilitation and prevention of injuries, as well as improving fitness and athletic performance. Sports medicine specialists work with people who have suffered physical injuries, people who have physically demanding jobs, and all types of athletes. Sports medicine specialists can help patients have active lifestyles, feel and perform better, and can help prevent injuries from occurring. If you are looking for sports medicine physical therapy in Midtown West, contact us at First Health Physical Therapy. Sports medicine specialists include sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified athletic trainers.
Sports Medicine Physical TherapyÂ
Sports medicine physical therapists specialize in rehabilitating and preventing injuries. They also help improve the patient’s functional and/or athletic ability, allowing them to lead a better and more active lifestyle. They work alongside sports medicine physicians and certified athletic trainers to help patients beyond simple rehabilitation; instead, helping prevent future injuries and strengthen weak points within the patient’s physicality.
Some injuries commonly treated through manual therapy by sports medicine physical therapists include:
- Joint pain or injuries (knee, hip, shoulder, elbows, wrists, ankles).
- Lower back pain.
- Herniated discs.
- Muscle spasms/tension.
- Broken/fractured bones.
Sports medicine physical therapists can help rehabilitate these issues, help treat a chronic problem, and even help prevent these issues from occurring with proper training. One way sports medicine physical therapists help their patients with these issues includes manual therapy, also known as hands-on physical therapy. In manual therapy, a physical therapist will apply pressure and manipulate joints to help treat your injury and improve mobility through three main aspects: joint mobilization, joint manipulation, and soft tissue mobilization. With joint mobilization sustained pressure or oscillation is applied to relieve pain and increase joint mobility, joint manipulation consists of fast and short movements that aim to increase joint function and reduce pain, and soft tissue mobilization uses pressure to relax muscles and relieve pain. If you are seeking a sports medicine physical therapist in Midtown West, contact us.
Athletic Trainers in Sports Medicine
Certified athletic trainers in sports medicine work alongside physical therapists to rehabilitate injuries and prevent future injuries. They develop a training program to complement your physical therapist’s plan to help with your rehabilitation, as well as a strengthening program to work around your injury and help prevent injuries in the future. They also work with you to create a program to reach your fitness or athletic goals. Here at First Health PT, we have certified personal trainers to work with you on your path to a regular fitness level and help you achieve your fitness goals. For more information, please get in touch with our lead physical therapist, Noah Hyman.