What’s the difference between physical therapy (PT) and sports medicine? While there’s plenty overlap between the two disciplines, they meet different needs. Fortunately, Union Health Sports Medicine offers people in the Wabash Valley – athletes or not – medical care, physical therapy and sports training to repair injuries, build strength and mobility, and raise performance to the next level.

Repairing Injuries, Preparing for Life

Sports medicine is a wide field that includes everything from orthopedic care to athletic training. Sports medicine professionals include athletic trainers and their staff members, exercise psychologists, physical therapists, and physicians. Many sports medicine professionals, such as athletic trainers, receive certification from the American College of Sport Medicine.

Sports medicine professionals see patients to:

• Evaluate and treat acute conditions such as fractures
• Manage chronic concerns such as shin splints
• Repair and rehabilitate injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Train for optimal movement in sports and in life

If you hit your head and suspect a concussion, a sports medicine provider may evaluate your injury by the playing field and recommend next steps. Sports medicine professionals, especially certified athletic trainers, may prescribe training regimens to help athletes safely perform at their highest level. And family care physicians with a sports medicine emphasis treat the whole family with an eye to the needs of active people at all ages and fitness levels.

At Union Health, our Sports Medicine program provides services to all active members of the Wabash County community.

Union Health Sports Medicine services include:

• Advanced surgical techniques
• Leading-edge diagnostic technologies
• Medical and training support for high school and college teams
• Orthopedic care by board-certified physicians
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Primary care with a sports medicine focus
• Round-the-clock physician availability, including same-day orthopedic appointments

The Fast Track to Recovery

In contrast to sports medicine, physical therapy has a sharp focus: to help people recover from any injury or condition that limits physical function. A physical therapist may work with people who have congenital disabilities, who are recovering from cancer or who are training to return to sport after an injury.

People of any age can see a physical therapist, whether or not they are athletes. You might visit a physical therapist for:

• Balance and mobility as you get older
• Cardiac rehabilitation after a heart attack
• Rehabilitation after a broken bone or ligament tear

Union Health offers physical therapy – alongside occupational therapy and speech therapy – on an inpatient and outpatient basis at four convenient locations.

Our physical therapy techniques include:

• Cardiovascular and pulmonary endurance training
• Exercises for balance, strength and range of motion
• Neuromuscular facilitation
• Pain management and wound care
• Training to improve gait and help with transfers to chair, bed or commode

Your Hub for Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine

Whether you’re recovering for an injury, training to enhance athletic performance or looking to remain active in the years to come, sports medicine professionals and physical therapists at Union Health Sports Medicine both have a role to play.