Sports Medicine

What is sports medicine?

Sport medicine providers offer preventive care and treatment to physically active people. You don't have to be a professional athlete to benefit from sports medicine.

People who benefit from sports medicine include college and high school athletes, adults who belong to a local league, people who regularly go to the gym, and those who exercise on their own.

Regardless of your definition of "athlete," if you're active, you can benefit from seeing a sports medicine specialist. Sports medicine offerings include treatment of illness or injury and strategies to help you prevent injury or overuse. The doctors look for the root cause of your injury but also for muscle imbalances or poor form that can contribute to long-term problems.

When should I seek out sports medicine services?

Anytime you have an injury related to sports play or exercise, it's a good idea to seek care from a sports medicine specialist.

It's also smart to schedule an appointment before starting your season or before you begin a new sport.

Seek sports medicine care if you suffer an injury. The doctors at Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas can diagnose and treat most:

• Joint dislocations
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures
• Mild concussions
• Cartilage injuries
• Tendinitis
• Herniated discs
• Knee pain
• Shoulder pain
• Elbow pain
• Wrist and hand pain
• Foot and ankle pain

The doctors offer pain relief from chronic injuries too. This doesn't mean you should just cover up your pain and continue to play. Pain relief is used to get you into physical therapy to heal your injury for long-term good health.

What type of treatment does sports medicine include?

Before offering any treatment, your Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas provider reviews your medical history and does a complete physical. Your flexibility, range of motion, gait, and muscle strength are all evaluated.

These assessments help your provider identify biomechanical imbalances that can interfere with your performance and make you vulnerable to injury.

Depending on your symptoms or needs, you might also undergo imaging procedures, like X-rays or an MRI, and blood tests. The results of these tests help the doctor create your treatment plan, which can include:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Immobilization in a cast or brace
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or prescription pain medications
• Trigger point injections
• Corticosteroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Chiropractic care
• Nonsurgical spinal decompression
• Massage therapy
• M6 MLS® (multiwave locked system) robotic laser 
• Cold laser therapy

At Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas, the team's goal is to utilize conservative pain management treatments to try and help you avoid surgery when possible.

Sports medicine care helps you train and play at your best and heal quickly from injury. Call Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas for an appointment, or book one online today.