| It isn't unusual to use the terms sports medicine | | | | Other areas of expertise included in physical |
| and physical therapy interchangeably. However | | | | therapy are sports, cardiovascular sciences, and |
| the two aren't exactly the same things even | | | | occupational therapy. |
| though you may find yourself the patient of both | | | | When you are looking at the differences between |
| fields at the same time. | | | | these two healing arts you certainly can't overlook |
| While compatible, the difference between the two | | | | sports medicine. The type of medical discipline is |
| branches of medical discipline is clear. Both are | | | | solely used for sports related injuries and |
| effective for treating injuries, diseases and | | | | disorders. While sports physical therapy techniques |
| disorders of the muscle and skeletal systems of | | | | are commonly used in addition to sports medicine, |
| the body and both are useful for the prevention | | | | sports medicine may involve surgeries, |
| of future injury or disease symptom reoccurence. | | | | procedures, and medications not used in physical |
| By taking an individual look at both types of | | | | therapy. Sports medicine practitioners also can |
| medical assistance, you will soon see the | | | | have specialty fields as well. Orthopedics and |
| differences between physical therapy and sports | | | | skeletal emphasis are common. Advanced study |
| medicine. | | | | of how long term sporting activities and treating |
| Let's take a look at the field of physical therapy | | | | sports related injuries are always a part of this |
| first. Unlike sports medicine, physical therapy as a | | | | particular discipline. |
| whole is devoted to correcting any injury, disease, | | | | Understanding the difference between physical |
| or disorder of the bones and muscles that can be | | | | therapy and sports medicine may be key to |
| treated with non invasive techniques. The focus is | | | | determining how to best treat your physical |
| to provide patients with relief from pain, improve | | | | problem. While they can and are commonly used |
| their muscle, joint, and bone function, while | | | | together, each one has its own distinct benefit. |
| providing techniques the patient can use on their | | | | Your medical care team can further help |
| own for additional healing. The primary tools of a | | | | distinguish the two and point you in the right |
| therapist are good diagnosing and evaluating skills, | | | | direction in terms of your health care needs. The |
| knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, and | | | | important thing is take care of any injury, sports |
| knowledge of which therapy is effective for each | | | | related or not, to ensure your body's function in |
| situation. | | | | the years to come. |
| One large difference between the two is that | | | | The difference between these two medical |
| physical therapy doesn't only deal with sports | | | | approaches is obvious. Although the two are |
| related injuries or problems. Physical therapists can | | | | often used together, each one has its own |
| choose to specialize in their careers with emphasis | | | | purpose and uses. Your doctor can give you |
| on things like pediatrics, geriatrics, and neurology. | | | | advice on which specialist is right for your needs. |