Is there a difference between sports medicine and physical therapy? Physical therapy is usually confused with sports medicine, but they’re two different fields. Physical therapists help patients regain function and mobility by using hands-on treatments. Sports medicine doctors often treat injuries during events such as football or soccer. The best method to figure out what kind of doctor you need is to speak with your primary care doctor or a specialist about your symptoms. They will be able to suggest the best plan of action for you.
Sports Medicine
Sports medicine aims to treat and prevent injuries related to sports activities. A sports medicine specialist knows each sport’s physical movements and demands. For instance, if you play volleyball, a sports medicine doctor will more easily identify the cause of your injury than another doctor because they are familiar with the specific physical motions involved.
When treating you, a sports medicine doctor will suggest the most effective treatment for recovery and getting back to the same movements as before in volleyball (or soccer, football, etc.). Moreover, a sports medicine specialist will collaborate with you and show you the correct body mechanics to use in your sport to avoid further injury.
Benefits of Sports Medicine for Athletes
You may be wondering why you should see a sports medicine doctor instead of a physical therapist if they will prescribe that anyway. It could be beneficial to see a specialist because there might be treatments to prescribe and a physical therapist referral.
Rehabilitation
As an athlete, the last thing you want is to not recover fully from any injury you may face. By going to see a sports medicine expert, they know how to prescribe the right treatment plan to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. It is best to follow their recommendations for full rehabilitation after injury.
Preventative Care
As an athlete, sports injuries are quite common. This is why making sure you have preventative care is vital. The doctor will focus on your specific injured area to stabilize, strengthen, and protect it from future injury.
Customized Plan
One of the main reasons to see a sports medicine expert is that they can prescribe a customized plan that fits your needs. You can be assured knowing that you’ll get specific exercises for your unique injury, which will help with recovery.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapists work with anyone—regardless of age or sports involvement—to aid in recovering from an injury. Sports medicine specialists usually send their patients to a physical therapist—and vice versa. Apart from the focus on sports, the key difference between the two areas is that a sports medicine doctor provides various treatments, including surgery. Conversely, physical therapy relies solely on stretching and strengthening exercises and equipment to aid orthopedic recovery and rehabilitation.
Benefits of Physical Therapy
If you choose to go to physical therapy, there are many benefits that you can get from it. Whether you want to recover from an injury or prevent one, physical therapy can help. You may gain a few other benefits from seeing a physical therapist.
Increase Flexibility and Mobility
One of the many ways physical therapy can assist is by utilizing strength exercises and stretching to improve how your muscles move and respond to each other.
A physical therapist will customize a therapy plan based on your individual needs to help increase your mobility and flexibility as much as possible.
Reduce Pain
Many people will see a physical therapist when they are in pain. As mentioned, a sports medicine specialist will prescribe physical therapy to reduce the pain.
But how does physical therapy reduce pain?
The specific physical therapy techniques used in the practice will help improve your joints and soft tissue areas, reducing inflammation, which, in turn, will reduce pain. Different massage techniques that some physical therapists use can also reduce the pain you may feel.
Avoid Larger Treatments
Physical therapists are sought to prevent you from needing larger or more invasive treatments such as surgery. Since physical therapy can help reduce inflammation, increase flexibility, and help treat injuries, you can often avoid surgery or medication by seeing a physical therapist.
Other Benefits
In addition to the above benefits, physical therapists can help you manage diabetes, vascular conditions, and heart and lung disease, prevent falls by improving your balance, and even help with women’s health conditions such as fibromyalgia, pelvic pain, and difficult bowel movements.
Is There a Difference Between Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy?
Sports medicine is a part of healthcare that emphasizes preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports-related injuries. Physical therapy is a field of healthcare that assists individuals in regaining or maintaining mobility and function after an illness or injury.
So, what’s the difference? Sports medicine generally focuses on treating injuries that occur while engaging in sports or physical activities. Physical therapy can treat various conditions, not solely sports-related injuries. Physical therapists usually provide exercises and stretches to assist patients in enhancing their strength and flexibility more effectively.
Physical therapy is a kind of health care that focuses on recovery and healing. While sports medicine often involves rehabilitation, it also includes other aspects, such as improving performance or athletic training.
Therapists help injured folks get better and avoid sustaining any other injuries. They do exercises, use hands-on methods such as massage, employ tools such as ultrasound and electrical pulses, etc., to assist patients in bouncing back from sickness or injury, handle long-lasting pain, boost movement around hurt joints, build up stamina for those in heart rehab, support lung recovery after treatments like lung cancer surgery, and more.
Both physical therapists and sports medicine doctors are healthcare experts who like aiding individuals in enhancing their performance in activities they love, whether it’s casual sports like baseball, workout plans crafted by pro athletes, or simply strolling around town doing errands on weekends. The primary aim of both professions in patient care is to enhance rehabilitation techniques concentrating on injury recovery and preventive measures employed in maintaining the health of individuals, thereby averting the necessity of surgery later on.
Consider attending a sports medicine specialist if you suffer from a sports-related injury. Physical therapy can be an excellent option if you’ve recently suffered an injury or illness and need help getting back on your feet.
What Are The Distinctions In Training And Education?
Sports medicine doctors complete a residency focusing on musculoskeletal conditions and rehabilitation of injured athletes before becoming certified in their particular field of interest, like orthopedics, family practice, or general surgery.
People who want to be physical therapists attend physical therapy school for about three years after they finish their bachelor’s degree. Then, they must pass a test given by the state they live in to become licensed. After that, every state, all 50, requires them to renew their license every two years. They have to do this by taking classes that keep them up-to-date on their knowledge, which the state’s board of physical therapist examiners requires.
What Kind Of Jobs Do They Hold?
Sports medicine doctors could be employed by hospitals or medical centers or work with sports teams. Physical therapists commonly operate in private clinics, providing individualized care. Owning their practice might recruit additional staff during peak seasons, like summer or winter holidays. Alternatively, some physical therapists are part of the medical team for different sports teams.
Scope of Practice
While sports medicine professionals primarily focus on diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries, physical therapists have a broader scope of practice. Physical therapists work with people of all ages and backgrounds, not just athletes, to address various conditions, including chronic pain, pre and post-surgical rehabilitation, and neurological disorders. They design personalized treatment plans customed to each patient’s needs, aiming to restore function, reduce pain, and improve overall quality of life.
Why Is Sports Medicine Typically Confused With Physical Therapy?
Sports medicine and physical therapy are often mixed up because they’re similar. They both help folks heal from injuries, but sports medicine docs might also focus on stopping injuries before they happen. Still, there are important differences between them.
Sports medicine doctors usually have more medical training than physical therapists. They might do surgeries or give medicines to aid patients in healing from injuries. In contrast, physical therapists concentrate more on offering treatments such as exercise or massage to assist patients in enhancing their movement and abilities.
Thinking about physical therapy or sports medicine? Know the contrasts between these two. Physical therapists help people with injuries and disabilities get better. Sports medicine doctors aid athletes in recovering from event injuries and teach them about future injury risks. The training for each profession differs, so research well before choosing where to go and which service to use.
Which Is Right for Me?
If you’ve suffered an injury during athletic activity, visiting a sports medicine doctor first is generally best. This will ensure your injury is properly diagnosed and you receive the best treatment plan to make a full recovery. In many instances, physical therapy will be part of your treatment after a sports injury, and a sports medicine physician will recommend visiting a physical therapist when needed.
If your injury didn’t occur during athletic activities, you likely don’t need to visit a sports medicine doctor. However, a good idea is to have your condition evaluated by a doctor before visiting a physical therapist. While physical therapists can help treat various injuries and conditions, they aren’t qualified to diagnose the issue. You may often want to see an orthopedist to determine the best course of action and ensure you fully recover.
Final Thoughts
In summary, sports medicine and physical therapy are distinct yet complementary fields that play vital roles in helping individuals recover from injuries and optimize their physical performance. While sports medicine professionals specialize in diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries, physical therapists offer a broader range of services to address musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. Together, they form a powerful team that promotes health, well-being, and optimal physical function.
