Accidents happen, leading to injuries. This is particularly true in the field of sports. It is also in this field where it is so important that people heal as quickly as possible, so they can return to sports. That is where professionals like Dr James P Devellis come in.

What Is Sports Medicine?

The field of sports medicine is incredibly wide and varied. However, what brings all of its elements together is that they focus solely on injuries sustained while playing sports. These injuries range from bumps to fractures and from sprains and strains to mental breakdowns. Because of this, there is a need for different specialists as well.

Interestingly, in order to be certified as a sports medicine physician, like Dr Devellis, you must participate in regular research as well. The goal of this research is to gain a greater understanding of the cause and effects of injuries, how they can be prevented, and how they be treated. Again, this is why it is such a varied field.

Specialists in sports medicine do not just help professional athletes. Indeed, anyone who participates in any kind of sport can become injured and it is novices in particular who often experience significant problems because they push themselves too far or don’t understand the importance of warming up and cooling down. Additionally, elderly people are important patients of sports medicine specialists, because they are more likely to have had poorly treated injuries or suffer from arthritis and other such conditions, sometimes caused by poor behavior during sports activities, or even lack of activity.

All medicine is preventative in nature first and foremost, and this is true for sports medicine as well. Physicians work very hard to uncover new ways to avoid injuries, and to educate athletes about this. This includes things such as focusing on a healthy diet, recognizing signs of pushing yourself too far, and relaxation techniques. Furthermore, once someone is injured, it is important that they maintain their physical condition as much as possible so they can return once healed, which also often means eating a different diet and engaging in more gentle exercise.

Last but not least, sports medicine has a psychological focus. We now know that the brain and the body are very closely related and that someone with a mental illness is more likely to develop a physical illness as well. Someone with a lot on their mind, for instance, will have slower reaction speeds, which can lead to injuries in the field, for instance. Athletes are under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform to the best of their ability. They are pushed by their coaches, team mates, sponsors, and fans. This is a lot to deal with, particularly because everybody has a bad day every once in a while, and athletes often feel as if they have let people down by doing so. Sports medicine specialists cannot ignore the effects of this and must also look at ways to keep athletes’ minds healthy.