Being active is great for your health – until pain, injury, or fatigue slows you down. Whether you’re someone who plays some pickup sports in your spare time, goes for regular weekend runs, does CrossFit, or just loves staying active, there’s always a possibility of pain or injury putting you on the sidelines. This is one of the places where sports medicine comes into play. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just for elite athletes; it’s for anyone who wants to move better and recover faster. If you’re one of today’s active adults, weekend warriors, or “not-so-pro” athletes, sports medicine may very well be for you.
Who Are Today’s “Everyday Athletes”?
We are all aware of the dangers associated with an excessively sedentary lifestyle. This is a growing problem that has become more glaring in recent decades. This reality has prompted many people to adopt regular fitness routines to combat the negative health outcomes associated with sedentary living. If you are one of these active adults maintaining or starting a regular fitness routine, this article is for you.
Some people may not have a sedentary work life but still see the value in leading an active lifestyle outside of work. If you are one of these “weekend warriors” making sure to hit the courts, trails, or gym after a full workweek, this article is for you.
Others may look for something beyond physical activity, choosing to embrace the competition and camaraderie of an adult softball league, pickleball tournament, or some other organized competitive events. Maybe you’re a former athlete craving that competition, or just a hobbyist who enjoys the sport. In either case, this article is for you.
While this population is likely to receive many health benefits – both physical and mental – from these active lifestyles, they are also more prone to certain types of injuries:
- Sprains and strains
- Tendonitis (e.g. Achilles, rotator cuff, tennis elbow)
- Knee pain, shoulder pain, and lower back issues
- Overuse injuries and muscle imbalances
While it’s useful for much more than just treating injuries, sports medicine is often first encountered by these “everyday athletes” because of one or more of these conditions.
So, what is sports medicine, exactly?
Sports Medicine is for Anyone who Wants to Stay Active
In simple terms, sports medicine is a specialized branch of healthcare focused on physical performance, injury prevention, and rehabilitation. It is a type of healthcare that may be provided by a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, or a sports medicine physician. It’s not just about treating injuries – it’s about optimizing performance and longevity.
If you are involved in maintaining or starting an active lifestyle that includes these types of activities, you could benefit greatly from consulting with a sports medicine professional. Your consultation can include:
- Personalized assessment and movement analysis: a professional analysis can help identify areas for improvement and opportunities to hone your technique and performance.
- Injury prevention programs: a personalized program to help you build strength, flexibility, and mobility while optimizing your technique can help you avoid injuries.
- Targeted rehabilitation: if you should suffer from an injury, a sports medicine professional can provide a custom rehabilitation program tailored to your needs.
- Return-to-activity guidance: get back to the lifestyle you love as quickly and safely as possible with professional guidance.
You don’t need to be a sports professional to get professional care. One-on-one treatment and customized training programs can benefit any active adult. Education on injury prevention and recovery, and the active guidance of a trained professional can benefit you whether you are a seasoned athlete or just getting started.
Make Sports Medicine a Part of Your Active Lifestyle
If you are one of the “everyday athletes” described above, starting to become one, or just trying to be more active, sports medicine can help you maximize your performance by honing your technique and building your strength, stability, flexibility, and mobility. It can help you stay in the game by helping you prevent and recover from injuries.
Whether you are an active adult or striving to become one, consider reaching out for the guidance of a sports medicine professional. Call us at 906.932.4200 to schedule a consultation, and we’ll help you get the most out of your active lifestyle.
