Sports Medicine is a broad field which encompasses the expertise of many specialties such as Pain Management, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Orthopedics, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic Medicine, Nutritionist, Exercise, Physiologist and Podiatry, to name just a few.

In general, sports-related injuries are characterized into two groups, Traumatic and Overuse.

1. Traumatic injuries: These occur suddenly, in which one immediately feels the effects of the injury, such as pain, swelling, bruising or an open wound. These can be due to a direct blow, a sudden twist or change in direction. Sprinters often suffer hamstring sprain, and achilles tendon rupture is common in racquetball players.

2. Overuse injuries: These develop gradually, sometimes unnoticed at first and are often due to repetitive motion/activity. Tennis and golfer's elbow and runner's shin splints are examples. Game Boy thumb or T.V. remote finger tendonitis are present more frequently in this age of the sedentary video sports enthusiasts. The best way to avoid injury is to minimize risk factors; use proper gear such as padding and properly fitted equipment, i.e., skis and boots, bicycle helmets, mouth guards. Training should be staged in gradual steps. Stretching is a must before a workout. Proper diet is necessary in planning a workout and adequate fluid intake is essential to avoid dehydration and cramping. Pain and fatigue are important signals to pay attention to. The old saying "no pain, no gain" is just an old saying. By not listening to your body you just might gain a trip to the doctor.

The following is a list of common sports-related injuries: Abrasions, back pain, blisters, brush burns, bursitis, calluses, carpal tunnel, cramps, contusions, concussions, dehydration, disk problems, dislocations, exhaustion, foot injuries, fractures, golfers/tennis elbow, groin strain, hamstring tears, headaches, heel spurs, heatstroke, hernias, hip pain, knee injury, ligamentous injury, muscle pain, neck pain, plantar fasciitis, repetitive stress injuries, roller blader's ankle, rotator cuff injury, runner's knee, sacroiliatis, shin splint, sprains and strains, stress fractures, swimmer's ear, tail bone pain, tendonitis, trigger finger, wrist injuries.

If you think you have any of these conditions feel free to contact us for more information or to speak with one of our specialists.