What is sports medicine?
Sports medicine is a medical specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries and conditions related to physical activity and athletics. Doctors who specialize in sports medicine care for high school, college, and professional athletes, as well as recreational participants, treating everything from sprains, fractures, and concussions to knee, shoulder, and overuse injuries. Treatment approaches range from nonsurgical options like physical therapy, medication, and bracing to surgical procedures when necessary.
What is a physiatrist (physical medicine & rehabilitation doctor)?
A physiatrist is a medical doctor specializing in nonsurgical pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and neurological studies.
What is a primary care sports medicine doctor?
A primary care sports medicine doctor is a leader in the field of sports medicine. Either through advanced fellowship training or through years of clinical experience, a primary care sports medicine doctor has learned the skills to take care of athletes of all ages, sports, and levels of competition. Primary care sports medicine doctors often serve as team doctors to professional sports teams or are personal doctors to elite-level athletes.
What is a Physician Assistant?
Physician Assistants are healthcare professionals that are licensed to examine, order and interpret tests, and diagnose and treat patients with the supervision of a doctor as part of a healthcare team. P.A.s have their master’s degree and undergo 6 – 7 years of education before obtaining a national certification. Depending on the type of medical setting, physician assistants practice in offices, hospitals, and also assist surgeons in the operating room. P.A.s provide a broad range of healthcare services that are similar to those you receive from a doctor. They are trained to recognize when patients need the attention of their supervising doctor.
What is a physical therapist?
A physical therapist is licensed by the state and specializes in therapy programs for musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, sports injuries, postoperative rehabilitation, and massage therapy.
What is an occupational therapist?
An occupational therapist is licensed by the state and specializes in the treatment of the upper extremity (hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder) and work injuries. The services provided by occupational therapists include patient education, joint range of motion, adaptive techniques, splinting, and workplace evaluations.
