Sports medicine isn’t just for athletes. Whether you exercise regularly, maintain a moderate to low level of activity, or strain a muscle opening a jar of Nutella, you can find yourself in need of a sports medicine physician. Sports medicine doctors specialize in physical activity and treat injuries that sometimes come along with it. They typically see tendonitis, strains, sprains, fractures, and ligament injuries, which they treat by relieving pain, recommending treatment, and following through with rehabilitation and patient education.
In terms of sports medicine, complementary means the addition of therapies and treatments that enhance treatments given by a doctor. These treatments are based on a holistic health approach, which means treating the entire person including the mind, body, and spirit.
The purpose of complementary sports medicine is to look at the lifestyle and emotional state of the patient and offer relief. A sports injury has an actual physical cause, but sometimes there’s an underlying primary cause, such as chronic stress, hormone imbalances, and negative emotions.
Some holistic and complementary sports medicine treatments include:
1. Body Therapies
– Designed to increase blood flow, promote healing, and relieve stress, body therapies include massage, osteopathic and chiropractic therapies, body movement therapies, tai chi, and yoga.
2. Alternative Medicines
– In order to bring together mind, body, and spirit, treatments, such as Ayurveda, acupuncture, homeopathy, naturopathy, and Chinese medicine can be applied.
3. Nutritional Therapies
– To balance the body’s well-being, these therapies include dietary supplements, overall nutrition plans, and herbal medicine.
4. Emotional and Mental Health
– Biofeedback, meditation, and hypnosis can all help strengthen the connection between emotional and mental health.
Improving our emotional health strengthens our immune system. When our immune system is weak, we are more prone to illness and injury. The theory behind complementary sports medicine is that by relieving stress, emotional distress, and the effects of unhealthy habits, we can help our bodies heal faster and avoid future injuries.
While anyone can benefit from any of these holistic approaches, research shows that 36 percent of adults over the age of 18 use complementary and alternative medicine. These methods are safe and effective for achieving the relaxation and balance we need in order to heal. To learn more about complementary sports medicine, body therapies, and more, visit Seasons In Our Life.