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We strive for 100% patient satisfaction.
Our clinics are spacious.
We offer on-site Aquatic Therapy.
We use the latest techniques and technologies.
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Rancho Bernardo
National City
Mission Valley
Carmel Valley
Carlsbad

When is Sports Medicine Necessary?

Sports MedicineThe 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:

  1. The injury has not responded to rest and continues to be a problem.
  2. The injury prevents the athlete from participating at the level of skill previously  performed.
  3. The injury is getting worse.
  4. 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.

About the Author - Dana

Dana has been a physical therapist for over 30 years. He earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Kinesiology from University of California, Santa Barbara and his graduate degree in physical therapy from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dana has worked in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation, acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health physical therapy and for the majority of his career in outpatient orthopedic/sports medicine clinics in San Diego. Dana works with patients ranging in age from 8 years old to 90+ years old with both orthopedic and neurological diagnosis.

Dana has taken several continuing education courses focused on the shoulder, the thrower’s shoulder, the knees, TMD diagnosis and treatment, and manual therapy evaluation and treatment for extremities and the spine. Outside of work, Dana's passions range from vintage automobiles to surfing the beautiful beaches in north San Diego county.