The term “sports medicine” often conjures up ideas of a professional athlete receiving therapy in order to play in the big game. Sports medicine can also include athletes at the college, high school, middle school, elementary school or recreational level The skill levels vary at each level of competition but the injuries are similar in severity and complexity. The goal at Proactive for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine is to return the athlete to his or her chosen sport quickly and safely, at any level of competition.
We work with young recreational athletes, club and travel teams, school teams, and retirees who want to remain active. All of these athletes share a strong competitive nature and a desire to return to their sport.
The sports medicine team may include an experienced physician, physical therapist, athletic trainer and exercise specialist. The sports medicine team assesses the injured athlete and initiates a treatment plan to assist healing and a return to their sport.
A few criteria for when to seek help from a sports medicine professional:
- The injury has not responded to rest and continues to be a problem.
- The injury prevents the athlete from participating at the level of skill previously performed.
- The injury is getting worse.
- The athlete is compensating for the injury by altering his/her technique. Compensation can take the form of a limp or altering the throwing motion.
Proactive for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine will evaluate and assess the athlete and then initiate a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program. The greatest reward is watching the athlete we have worked with return to their sport.