Sports medicine and physical therapy are pillars of musculoskeletal health. Both focus on the treatment and rehabilitation of physical injuries. Some people may confuse sports medicine as an alternative term for physical therapy.
However, these two fields vary in terms of education, training, scope, and approach. They can also cater to different needs, ranging from injury recovery and chronic pain management to performance enhancement. If you’re seeking treatment, understanding the differences can help you make the right decision for your health.
This article covers the differences between sports medicine vs physical therapy. Read on to discover which is best for you.
What Is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is a branch of healthcare that focuses on sports-related injuries. This includes the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of common sports or exercise-related injuries, such as:
Sprains and strains
Concussion
Fractures
Dislocations
Stress fractures
ACL tears
Rotator cuff injuries, and
Joint injuries
Sports medicine combines medicine and exercise science to support athletes through their careers. These specialists also teach their patients proper mechanics to prevent injury. They can also help athletes achieve better performance through training regimens and nutritional programs.
What Is Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy can be a part of sports medicine, but it isn’t limited to that. Movement limitations are not always the result of a physical injury. It could also come from movement or musculoskeletal disorders.
Physical therapists work with everyone, regardless of their involvement in sports or exercise. Patients who are recovering from a car accident or brain injury may see a physical therapist to restore their physical function and mobility. Physical therapists may also help someone who is dealing with chronic pain.
Educational Requirements and Training
To become a sports medicine doctor, one must first complete medical school. Orthopedic surgeons can also become sports medicine doctors since both fields focus on musculoskeletal health. A sports medicine doctor with a history in orthopedic surgery can perform operative treatments.
However, any MD can become a sports medicine doctor. All aspiring sports medicine doctors must complete a residency program. This enables them to sharpen their skills as doctors.
After residency, they must complete a two-year fellowship program in sports medicine. During this time, they learn about different sports-related injuries and their various treatments. Once they earn their certification, they can then become a sports medicine doctor.
Physical therapists, on the other hand, must complete a physical therapy program from an accredited institution. PTs must then obtain a license to practice.
Physical therapists have the option to complete a residency or fellowship program. While this is optional, it can give them an edge as a professional. PTs may also earn board certification if they wish to work in a certain specialty.
Scope of Practice
Sports medicine professionals focus on the care of athletes and sports-related injuries. They help prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries in the context of sports and physical activity. Sports medicine doctors work with both recreational and professional athletes.
They can tailor injury prevention strategies based on the patient’s needs and their specific sport. They can also conduct pre-participation physical exams to assess the risk of injury. Sports medicine doctors also help athletes optimize their performance.
Sports medicine services are available in hospitals, sports clinics, sports training facilities, and orthopedic practices.
Physical therapy is a much broader practice, not limited to sports injuries. PTs also work with patients who:
Struggle with chronic pain
Are recovering from a traumatic injury
Are recovering from surgery
Have neurological disorders
You can find physical therapists in hospitals, rehab centers, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics. Some also have independent clinics.
Treatment Techniques
Sports medicine doctors can treat injuries using invasive and non-invasive treatments. This includes regenerative medicine, like stem cell injection, PRP therapy, and tissue engineering. However, they can also perform surgery if needed.
An athlete may need surgery if they experience a traumatic or complex injury or tissue damage. Sports medicine doctors also enhance athletic performance through sports-specific conditioning, biomechanical analyses, and agility drills.
Physical therapy has a more holistic approach, focusing on comprehensive rehabilitation.
A physical therapist may start with an evaluation to assess a patient’s range of motion, movement patterns, and functional limitations. A PT’s treatment plan often includes stretching and strengthening exercises. This helps the patient improve a patient’s motor function.
Physical therapists can use temperature and massage therapy to relieve pain. PTs have no professional medical experience.
So, unlike sports medicine doctors, they cannot prescribe medication or perform surgery. They can, however, develop a treatment plan tailored to the specific needs and health goals of each client.
Collaboration
Sports medicine doctors and physical therapists have different approaches to improving one’s wellness. However, they often work together to achieve the best results. Sports medicine doctors may refer you to a physical therapist, and vice versa.
What About Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic therapy is another form of holistic care. Like physical therapists, they have a hands-on approach to treating pain and inflammation. Chiropractic care also does not involve surgery or medication.
The only difference is that they focus on spinal adjustments. Chiropractors focus on realigning the spine to alleviate pain and improve mobility. Because of this, chiropractic therapy can complement rehabilitative efforts in both sports medicine and physical therapy.
Chiropractors work with a wide range of patients, including everyday people. People who suffer from back and neck pain due to poor posture may visit a chiropractor to improve pain. If you want to try it yourself, check out this chiropractor in Midtown NYC.
Sports Medicine vs Physical Therapy: Which One Is Right for You?
Sports medicine focuses on providing specialized care for athletes. Physical therapy, on the other hand, is a broader field that focuses on the treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions. Both disciplines aim to aid patients in recovery and injury prevention.
Now that you understand the difference between sports medicine vs physical therapy, you can choose the best therapy based on your specific needs. Want to learn more about your musculoskeletal health?
Check out our other blog posts to discover more informative health guides.
