Living an active lifestyle is wonderful for your overall health and wellness, but it does elevate your risk of injury. At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine in Westfield and West Orange, New Jersey, a team of sports medicine specialists can help you get back in the game after an injury or work with you to improve your performance and avoid future injuries. That process begins with a personalized consultation, which you can schedule online or over the phone today.
For appointments, call us or book online at any of our convenient locations in Middletown, Morristown, Ridgewood, Westfield, and West Orange.
What is sports medicine?
Sports medicine is an area of medical specialty focused on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal injuries that arise from physical activity. The focus is on repairing any damage and preventing additional injury.
You don’t have to be a professional athlete to see a sports medicine physician. Fitness enthusiasts, active older adults, kids playing rec league or school sports, and even men and women who work physically demanding jobs can all benefit from sports medicine.
What can be done to prevent a sports injury?
One of the most important things you can do to lower your risk of a sports injury is to wear the proper protective gear for your sport or activity. Be sure your equipment fits properly and that you are wearing it as intended.
It’s also important to avoid placing your body under undue strain. Even professional athletes encounter difficulty when they train too hard, too fast, especially after a previous injury. Give your body time to adjust to new routines and activities, and don’t push too far beyond your limits.
Sports injuries can affect various areas of your body. You may experience a strain, sprain or fracture, or pain in your shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, ankle, neck, back, or foot that occurs during activity or after.
If you do encounter an injury, begin self-care immediately. Ice the affected area, give your body a chance to rest, elevate the limb if possible, and use sports bandages to lightly compress the joint or painful area. If you are in significant pain or you don’t see improvements within a few days, visit Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine for a sports injury diagnostic workup that may include in-house X-rays.
How is performance training part of sports medicine?
One aspect of sports medicine that is often overlooked is performance training. The specialists at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine can evaluate your current level of fitness and help you find ways to become stronger, more flexible, and better prepared to perform at peak levels.
One approach involves assessing your current training and fitness routine and making adjustments to cover areas that may need more attention. For example, a weekend warrior who wants to start pitching for a community league baseball team might want to increase strength training focused on the shoulders, neck, and back. Adding regular stretching can help prevent injury and reduce Monday morning soreness and stiffness. Your specialist can also discuss the role that nutrition and supplementation play in your overall fitness planning.
You don’t have to wait for an injury to benefit from sports medicine. But if you do experience an injury, the cutting-edge treatments available at Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine can get you back in action. Options include regenerative medicine (PRP and mesenchymal cells injections), cortisone and ultrasound-guided injections, Lipogems®, TenJet®, and Orthovisc®. The practice also offers outstanding care for concussions.
If you’re ready to up your game on the field or off, call Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine or try the easy online booking tool to schedule a one-on-one consultation to learn how sports medicine can help you reach and exceed your goals.
