Did you know about 30 million individuals in the United States participate in some form of organized sports? Sports athletes experience more than 3.5 million injuries annually, the most common of which are sprains and strains. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, men’s sports injuries most commonly occur from contact sports such as a game of football. Meanwhile, soccer causes the highest number of women’s sports injuries. Additionally, current injury statistics from the CDC show that 5.4% of sports injuries require surgery to ensure the athlete can remain competitive in their chosen field. While certain sports can be more dangerous due to physicality, all types of sports offer the potential for injury. For example, injuries like tennis elbow can arise from repetitive movements that overuse a body part or muscle group. These types of overuse injuries are the most under-reported type of sports injuries in athletes. On average, sports injuries require seven or more days of focused recovery time. Left unaddressed, they can cause painful damage and years of discomfort. As a result, the skilled team at Family Integrative Medicine treats a large number of acute sports injuries each year:
- Hamstring strain
- Sciatica (slipped disc)
- Shin splints
- Frozen shoulder
- Groin pull
- Concussion
- ACL tear
- Tennis elbow
- Golf elbow
- Pitcher injuries
- Hip flexor strain
- Stress fractures
- Torn meniscus
- Joint space narrowing
Treating with Regenerative Medicine & Physical Rehabilitation
Regardless of whether our patients are Olympic athletes or recreational sports enthusiasts, Family Integrative Medicine’s compassionate team treats every person with the same meticulous care and attention to detail. As much as possible, we coach our athletic patients on ways to minimize the chance of sports injury.
When the worst happens, it is important to optimize recovery during the crucial period of time following a fresh injury. That’s why top athletes turn to regenerative medicine and physical rehabilitation for the best results. These interrelated fields of medicine can effectively reduce chronic pain for sports injuries in athletes, restoring mobility while addressing soft tissue and cartilage damage. Regenerative medicine uses cell, tissue or organ substitutes to enhance body’s own efforts to restore normal biological functioning of injured or diseased tissues. A broad field of medicine, this can include the use of medical devices, artificial organs, cellular therapies and more to help regrow damaged tissue. The goal of regenerative medicine is to help the body recover more effectively, and particularly for cases where tissue healing has been significantly impaired. This can decrease inflammation, reducing chronic and acute pain while repairing damaged tissues.
Physical rehabilitation is ideal for those experiencing functional weakness, poor range of motion and pain from sport injuries. Goals include increasing range of motion, improving overall muscle strength, restoring balance and reducing chronic pain. Effective rehabilitation typically includes a combination of therapist-led exercises, stretching, heat and cold therapies, electrical stimulation and more, depending on the patient’s diagnosis and unique treatment plan. Rehabilitative care is designed with long-term goals in mind, which also helps improve overall quality of life. At Family Integrative Medicine, that is one of our highest priorities when treating our patients in Central Florida. After all, as the statistics show, sports injuries in athletes are common, no matter how carefully you work to avoid them.
How Can Peak Condition Help Prevent Sports Injuries in Athletes?
Peak condition plays a pivotal role in preventing sports injuries among athletes. Through athlete’s physical performance optimization, they can enhance their strength, flexibility, and endurance, lowering the risk of strains, sprains, and other injuries. Additionally, proper training techniques, sufficient rest, and mindful nutrition further contribute to maintaining peak condition and minimizing the chances of sports-related setbacks.
One of the best ways to stay in peak physical condition is to invest in “self-care”. Things such as eating healthy, getting massages, and meditating go a long way when trying to stay in shape and be healthy. One product in particular that can help you do that is the UTK Heating Pad for Lower Back Pain Relief. It not only helps heal back injuries, but it aids in the recovery process after a strenuous workout.
About Family Integrative Medicine in Central Florida
When the worst happens, turn to Family Integrative Medicine for your recovery. By combining cutting-edge technology and medical breakthroughs with an adaptive and personalized treatment plan, we can help you get back on your feet. Additionally, our experienced team of experts help athletes who desire assistance in managing chronic and acute pain. Learn more about our Responsible Pain Management TM program by reading this blog article. No matter what you need, Family Integrative Medicine is here for you! As a leader in person-centered care, Family Integrative Medicine serves patients in Orlando and surrounding service areas who want to pursue faster and more effective healing for a variety of chronic conditions treated at our medical clinics. Schedule your consultation so that we can support your healthcare needs and improve your quality of life, starting today!
