Have you ever fallen and twisted your ankle or lifted something the wrong way and strained your back? If you have, it’s proof that you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from the expertise that sports medicine in New Orleans provides.
In fact, when you receive care from a Sports Medicine Specialist, you will benefit from a personalized treatment plan that provides the most successful path back to optimal function and quality of life.
What is a Sports Medicine Specialist?
According to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM), a Sports Medicine Specialist is a physician who has undergone a substantial amount of specialized training in both the treatment and prevention of illness and injury. They help patients increase function and diminish disability and time away from sports, work, or school.
They also highlight the fact that these specialists don’t only treat competitive athletes but are perfect physicians for the non-athlete as well and are excellent resources for the individual who wishes to become active or begin an exercise routine.
It’s More Similar Than You May Think
With the wear and tear of sports, athletes often experience common injuries even when they are healthy and young. As we get older, the same can be said of the wear and tear of aging.
While the specific causes may be different, the types of injuries that non-athletes experience are often similar and can be treated with sports medicine in New Orleans. Consider these common sports injuries—and how similar conditions may also affect us as we grow older.
- Back and neck injuries/pain, including lower lumbar pain and neck pain.
- Shoulder injuries/pain, including fractures, tears, and dislocations.
- Hip injuries/pain, including strains, bursitis and impingement syndromes.
- Knee injuries/pain, including tears and strains.
- Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries/pain, including sprains and repetitive stress injuries.
- Lower leg, ankle, and foot/pain, including strains and inflammatory conditions.
Does anything on that list sound familiar? If it does, you may benefit from the expertise that sports medicine in New Orleans can provide.
The Value Of Remaining Active
In addition to their expertise in treating a variety of common conditions, Sports Medicine Specialists are skilled at helping their patients learn how to recover without just lying on the couch. While each patient’s treatment plan will vary, this attitude of working toward optimal functioning is a great benefit to help individuals remain active, especially as they get older.
An active lifestyle provides many health benefits as we age, and the prevention of falls is just one example. A recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outlines the hazards of falls among older Americans and touts exercise as the number one tool to combat them.
Citing the report, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) notes that research shows that simply staying active can reduce your risk of a fall by 10 to 20% and exercising more than three hours a week is linked to an almost 40% reduction in falls.
Recommendations include things like adding strength and resistance training and improving balance. Experts in sports medicine in New Orleans are uniquely experienced to provide the support and training needed to help individuals remain both safe and active as they get older.
Whether you are feeling the effects of being a weekend warrior, need treatment for active-lifestyle injuries, or need help becoming more active, sports medicine in New Orleans can help – whether you’re an athlete or not!