What a piano-tuner is to an orchestra’s grand piano, is what a sports therapy clinic is to a professional athlete. Also known as “sports medicine clinics”, they keep the body of an athlete in its best possible form, whether recovering from injury or taking preventative measures to avoid one. Sports medicine clinics are specialized medical clinics that specifically offer sports medicine, physical therapy and a host of other services that cater to sports related injuries and conditions.
Yet sports therapy clinics also deliver services beyond treating the injured and extend to valuable preventative medicine and education aimed at helping athletes to avoid injury altogether.
Typically sports injury clinics will specialize in injuries or conditions that affect the head, spine, neck, shoulder, elbow, forearm, hip, pelvis, knee, leg, ankle and foot. Whereas sports therapy clinics are prepared for handling everything from concussions, osteoporosis, fractures, sprains, herniated disks, chronic instability in bones and joints, dislocations, rotator cuff tears, joint tears, burners and stingers, tendon dysfunction, muscle strains, injuries to the ACL, MCL, or PCL, torn cartilage, to pulled hamstrings.
Sports therapy clinics also treat ongoing conditions such as Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Plantar Fasciitis Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Scoliosis, Spondylolisthesis, Tendinitis, Bursitis, Thoracic Outlet syndrome, tennis elbow, Femoroacetabular Impingement, burning thighs, Discoid Meniscus, runners knee, Osteonecrosis, adult flat foot, clubfoot, bone spurs, tendon dysfunction, Sesamoiditis, claw toe and more.
And the really good news? Sports therapy clinics are not elitist! In addition to treating athletes, they also help hundreds of thousands of non-athletes as well. Take Osteoarthritis, for example. Osteoarthritis affects a large percentage of the aging population because of its root cause: wear and tear on the body. Cartilage damage inside the joints happens frequently - and understandably - as people age and the demands of repetitive movement catches up with them.
And the really good news? Sports therapy clinics are not elitist! In addition to treating athletes, they also help hundreds of thousands of non-athletes as well. Take Osteoarthritis, for example. Osteoarthritis affects a large percentage of the aging population because of its root cause: wear and tear on the body. Cartilage damage inside the joints happens frequently - and understandably - as people age and the demands of repetitive movement catches up with them.
Another common problem: torn ACL’s. If only there were a nickel for every teen or young adult needing treatment for this injury often caused by simple carelessness, over exertion or rough play! Whether you’re an athlete or non-athlete, we’re all built the same, so it stands to reason that injuries we’ve come to identify with athletes happen to everyone else too. So advanced treatment for non-athletes not available in a traditional physical therapy clinic may find relief available at a sports therapy clinic instead.
A good sports therapy clinic offers a roster of multi-disciplinary medical professionals. If you feel overwhelmed by the process of selection, not to worry! The list below offers you some simple guidelines to help. Try to find a sports therapy clinic offering:
A good sports therapy clinic offers a roster of multi-disciplinary medical professionals. If you feel overwhelmed by the process of selection, not to worry! The list below offers you some simple guidelines to help. Try to find a sports therapy clinic offering:
1. A primary care Physician whose purpose is to design an all-encompassing treatment plan for prevention, or treatment of an injury or condition.
2. Physical Therapists that improve physical conditioning and joint function.
3. Dieticians who specifically address nutrition and weight control.
4. Occupational therapists who offer education about pain management as well as protection from further injury at home.
5. Rheumatologists who specialize in treatment of Arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
6. Physiatrists offering physical rehabilitation (restoring optimal movement and function to muscles, bones, tissues, and the nervous system).
7. Social workers who can help arrange for additional services like home health care - often valuable to treating a medical condition.
8. Psychologists who help patients cope with the emotional difficulties resulting from medical conditions (e.g. loss of sleep, depression, anxiety).
9. Orthopedists that provide surgical treatment of bone and joint diseases.
10. Licensed Acupuncture therapists.
It’s wise to research a sports therapy clinic thoroughly. Visit their website; talk to other patients. Athletes may want to scope out the diversity of the clinic’s spectrum of service and its reputation in the industry. Client testimonials and well-known brands that have chosen to affiliate with the clinic may also guide you. Ideally, you want a relationship with a sports therapy clinic equipped to address many needs your body may have at various junctures of its use whether due to injury or when seeking to enhance its performance, comfort and longevity.
For more information about sports therapy clinics or to book a consultation with our team please call 416-800-0800 or visit www.aesm.ca today
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