Submitted by Athleticare at St. John's Hospital
We can't all be professional athletes, but sometimes our kids have a passion for sports related fields.
We can't all be professional athletes, but sometimes our kids have a passion for sports related fields.
Do you have a teenager interested in pursuing a college degree and/or career in sports medicine? Athleticare has sponsored workshops to spotlight the eight different careers available within the field of sports medicine.
- Physical therapy concentrates on preventing and managing movement disorders throughout the lifespan. Physical therapists play an intricate role in returning injured athletes back to their chosen sport.
- Athletic training has evolved into many different areas. This includes the traditional clinical outreach role in high school, university and professional sports. A few non-traditional roles are physician extender, performing arts, rodeo and even law enforcement/military.
- The field of orthopedic surgery has become increasingly specialized and can be custom tailored to suit the physician's field of interest. This may include a specialty in joint replacement, upper extremity, pediatrics, research or sports medicine.
- While family practice physicians typically see patients with general illnesses, they also treat the athletic population for various injuries. These "athletes" may be soccer moms who compete in marathons and suffer a chronic injury or those who have sustained an acute injury.
- Chiropractors are utilized by athletes of all levels – from the weekend warrior through the Olympic level. The United States Olympic Committee maintains a Team USA chiropractor and offers sports medicine fellowships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This profession is known for its holistic approach emphasizing the body's own healing potential.
- Physician assistants help meet the growing need for qualified individuals who can extend the reach of physicians and act in their place. For example, the medical history and a series of tests may be ordered by a physician assistant prior to being seen by a physician.
- Occupational therapists work in a vast array of settings from outpatient clinics, pediatrics, hand therapy and even places like forensic units. Occupational therapy helps people achieve independence in all areas of their lives.
- Personal trainers not only work with athletes to achieve specific goals, but educate people about physical fitness. They help design exercise routines and teach physical exercises to a wide variety of clients.
AthletiCare is a program of the Bone & Joint Institute at St. John's Hospital located at 3631 South Sixth Street in Springfield. Call 217-744-PLAY or visit www.athleticare.com for upcoming free seminars (on the third Wednesday of each month) and to register to be included on the mailing list.
