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What Is Sports Medicine?

 

Sports medicine is a specialized field that focuses on the medical principles and practices related to sports science. It primarily addresses the medical and therapeutic aspects of sports participation to enhance performance, improve strength and speed, and minimize the risk of injury. Adequate recovery is an essential component of this process.

 

The field of sports medicine includes a wide range of health professions, such as:

 

  • Athletic trainer

  • Doctor of osteopathy

  • Exercise physiologist

  • Kinesiotherapy

  • Medical doctor

  • Nursing

  • Nutrition/dietetics

  • Physical therapy

Sports Medicine for Injury Rehabilitation and Treatment in Ottawa

Ottawa-Carleton Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Center is one of Ottawa's leading sports medicine centers. Our physiotherapists are here to help those individuals with sports injuries get back on track doing what they love. We treat all kinds of sports injuries, such as:

  • Knee injuries

  • Neck injuries

  • Back injuries

  • Shoulder injuries

  • Elbow injuries

  • Wrist injuries

  • Whiplash
     

Contact us today to speak with one of our professionals and learn how we can help you achieve your goals.

 

Treatment of Injuries with Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists know the biomechanics of sports and the underlying causes of a sports injury. This enables us to understand injuries better and carefully get you back to playing sports. Physiotherapy can help amateur and professional players with sports and activity-related aches and pains, sprains and strains, overuse injuries, concussion prevention, assessment and recovery, and more. At Ottawa-Carleton Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Center, our physiotherapists have vast experience working with sports injuries. Our physiotherapists can help you heal from your injury, improve your movement and form, and avoid repeating the same injuries. Our treatment process includes the following options:

 

  • Manual therapy: A hands-on method to repair joint alignment, soft tissue movement, muscle control, strength and flexibility.
     

  • Exercise prescription: Through exercises, you can recover from your sports injuries and return to the level of competition you were at before your injury.
     

  • Athletic taping: It gives relief from pain, limits swelling and provides support for acute injuries.
     

  • Screening assessment: This is a one-hour screening of the patient’s movement, flexibility, health, and alignment. Specific corrective exercises are suggested to correct these deficiencies and enhance athletic performance.


 

How to Prevent a Sports Injury?

Sports injuries occur when some muscles are strained while others remain underused. Whether you’re new to a sport or are an experienced athlete, here are a few steps you can take to prevent injuries:
 

  • Be in a proper physical state to play a sport: Many injuries can be prevented by following a regular conditioning program of activities planned particularly for your sport.
     

  • Wear proper protective gear and equipment: Protective gear that fits you well can protect your knees, hands, teeth, and other body parts.
     

  • Rest: Proper rest can strengthen you and prevent injuries from overuse, fatigue and poor judgment.
     

  • Always warm up before engaging in the sport: Depending on your sport, you may start slowly or practice specific stretching.
     

  • Avoid playing when very tired or in pain: You need to be aware of the warning signs your body gives.
     

  • Physiotherapy sessions: Physiotherapy can put the generally underused muscles to work, in addition to strengthening them.

When Should You Consider a Sports Massage?

Sports massage is not only for athletes. This therapeutic effect is open to any person regardless of athletic level. Sports massage has long been a part of preparation and recovery for an athlete before or after competition and in preventing and healing injury. Also, a person experiencing restricted motion, chronic pain, or persistent injuries may benefit from sports massage.

 

Whether you are dealing with an acute injury or chronic pain, our sports medicine expertise, combined with your dedication to recovery, can help you make considerable strides in your health. Let us help you take the first step toward healing today.

 

In addition to improving blood flow and lymphatic circulation, a sports massage is particularly effective at focusing on areas of the body where discomfort or dysfunction exists. For instance, it would be very relieving in cases of frozen shoulder characterized by severe pain and lack of movement. It also dramatically benefits in treating hamstrings, neck, knees, and more.

 

Sports massage is a precious form of physiotherapy that can support your recovery and overall well-being. To experience the benefits, schedule a session with one of our registered massage therapists today. Simply inform us of the areas that need attention, and we will tailor the treatment to meet your needs. We work with most insurance providers. For additional information, explore our blog and learn more about our sports medicine in Ottawa.

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