About Sports Medicine Specialists
Sports medicines specialists typically work with athletic teams and coaches to address injuries and health concerns and provide treatment. They are actively involved with the care and rehabilitation of athletes of all ages. Doctors in this field need to have completed formal education from an accredited medical school and obtain certification in order to practice medicine in this field. Most sports medicine specialist positions require an extensive amount of work experience to fulfill the minimum requirement.
Other People Are Reading
-
Significance
-
The field of sports medicine has been recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, but there are only about 1,000 certified Sports Medicine Specialists in the United States. Medical professionals in this field may choose to specialize in a particular age group such as teenagers in high school, or young adults in their college years. A sports medicine degree acquired from an accredited school is the first step towards practicing in this field.
Function
-
Sports medicine doctors are trained to mange sports-related injuries caused during a game such as sprains, open wounds, pulled muscles and spinal misalignments. They may also be involved with rehabilitation injuries, stress management and nutritional counseling when athletes and coaches want to improve their performance and build strength.
-
Types
-
In the United States, a sports medicine specialist may choose to become an orthopedic specialist or primary care physician. They are typically involved with working with a specific athletic team or group, but may also work on a consultant basis to work with a coach or athletic trainer for a short period of time. Injury prevention is another area of sports medicine that allows a specialist to work with teams and coaches to train and educate athletes about healthy nutrition, stretching and resting, and ways to pursue their sport with minimal injury to the body.
Misconceptions
-
There is no defining role for a sports medicine specialist since many health care professionals are involved with the diagnosis and treatment of sports-related injuries and patients may be under the care of a sports medicine team rather than a sole medical professional. Sports medicine is not a standalone specialty; practicing sports medicine requires practicing different specialties including exercise physiology, traumatology, cardiology, rehabilitation medicine and orthopedic surgery.
Considerations
-
In addition to working directly with athletes, personal trainers and coaches, a sports medicine specialist may choose to pursue the business side of the industry with positions in sales, marketing or education. A sports medicines sales specialist may represent various product lines and technology brands to serve as an ambassador or sales representative for the company. Taking on an education role may involve providing workshops, seminars and informational sessions for athletes, coaches and other people interested in improving their health while maintaining an active lifestyle.
-
