The Difference Between Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy

Choosing a recovery option doesn’t just depend on your injury; it also depends on your lifestyle and goals for recovery. For example, if you have a foot injury, being an athlete means you need the treatment option that prioritizes your ability to have a full range of movement and resume training after recovery.

If you have an injury, you may not know whether to focus on sports medicine or physical therapy. However, understanding the difference between these types of treatment can help you decide what to do after an injury.

What Is Sports Medicine?

The goal of a sports medicine specialist is to treat and prevent sports-related injuries. Regular patients include athletes practicing their sport professionally, semi-professionally, or at an amateur level. These practitioners have special training to treat sports-related injuries and perform treatments that restore your ability to train. 

What Is Physical Therapy?

The goal of physical therapy is to recover from injuries or alleviate pain. It focuses on restoring mobility and function. The treatments improve the body’s overall well-being and health, whether rehabilitating an injury or reducing the effects of chronic conditions. Physical therapists may specialize in areas like sports, pediatrics, or geriatrics.

Differences Between Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy

The main differences between sports medicine and physical therapy are the reason for treatment and the techniques used. Depending on your goals and the type of injury you have, you might consider one over the other.

Sports medicine is designed restores a patient’s athletic ability. If your goal is to get back to your sport, and reduce the likelihood of injury in the future, you’ll likely choose sports medicine. There are also several techniques that a sports medicine professionals use that aren’t as popular in physical therapy, like:

• Form improvement for athletic movements
• Guidelines for exercise and sports practice
• Medical treatments like steroid injections
• Sports nutrition plans
• Surgical intervention

Physical therapy doesn’t limit itself to sports-related injuries. This type of care usually focuses on improving strength and mobility after a surgery, injury, or illness. A physical therapist will try to restore your body to the condition it was in before the incident and help you avoid chronic pain. These professionals often use treatments like:

• Massage
• Mobilization
• Stretching and strength exercises
• Electrical stimulation
• Pain management

Get The Best Care For Any Injury

Sports medicine and physical therapy both fall under musculoskeletal care. No matter your need, the Mid-Maryland Musculoskeletal Institute has specialists and care centers at your disposal for recovery. Restore your body to its normal function fast by making an appointment with us.