Sports Therapy is a rapidly growing specialty within the medical field. In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is projected to be one of the fastest growing fields within the next decade. Sports Therapy is specifically designed to aid athletes in managing injury, enhancing physical performance, recovery and rehabilitation, as well as preventing further injury and damage to muscles and joints. Because there is a great deal of variation in the treatment of different sports injuries, as well as in the level of success with different therapies, it is often recommended that you work closely with a qualified athletic injuries and rehabilitation doctor in order to receive the most effective treatment.
The field of sports therapy has evolved over the years to include many different specialties and modalities. It is not uncommon for an athlete to seek treatment from a physical therapist, osteopath, chiropractor, physical therapist, massage therapist, or athletic trainer. These healthcare professionals are all skilled at treating a wide variety of different types of injuries and have access to many different kinds of equipment and exercise programs. Because there is such a wide variety of approaches and techniques used in the treatment of injuries and in preventing further injuries in athletes, it is important that the appropriate type of treatment be sought by those that may be injured. For this reason, it is common for a sports medicine doctor to be referred to as a sports chiropractic doctor or athletic trainer. While sports therapy was traditionally designed for athletes at the beginning of their careers, the discipline has now become widely accepted within the health care profession. Many doctors also consider the use of massage therapy and stretching exercises to be important components of preventative care for patients suffering from an injury or other form of illness. In fact, many chiropractors and physical therapists utilize these same therapeutic techniques in order to treat their patients. Because there is such a wide variety of modalities available to treat different sports injuries and in obtaining the best results possible, many patients seek the advice and care of a sports medicine doctor as opposed to a sports chiropractor or athletic trainer in the first year of their sports therapy career. The first year of sports therapy often involves treatment of mild to moderate sports injuries and inflammation at the wellness center. Often the first treatment recommended is exercise based stretching and massage techniques. Depending on the severity of the injury and the presence of additional symptoms such as instability or loss of motion, more invasive procedures such as microdermabrasion and muscle strengthening can be administered. As a patient begins to make progress toward full recovery, sports therapy exercises and massages may be discontinued in favor of more comprehensive forms of exercise and physical therapy. As a professional athlete, there are many different factors that should be considered when choosing a sports therapy rehabilitation program. First and foremost is the expertise of the physical therapist or chiropractor that will be treating the patient. Certification by the American Sports Therapy Association or the National Athletic League helps to ensure that the therapist has the proper credentials to provide the type of treatment that is necessary for the patients. It is also advisable to choose a rehab facility that is accredited and which has received accreditation by a national agency. A few sports therapy rehab facilities have a sports science and anatomy modules currently running that may be of assistance to a future athlete who is considering a career in physical therapy. One of the modules currently runs in the spring semester is the student's ability to evaluate functional stability and muscle force. This module focuses on how to properly use the lower extremities and protect the integrity of the spine. A good example of this module is the study of posture and mechanics of the lower extremities. In the fall semester, the study of anatomy will likely be required for a student to pursue his or her degree as a physical therapist. To understand more about this topic, it is wise to check out this post: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_therapy.
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