Sports Medicine in Austin | Greater Austin Pain Center

Professional Sports Medicine Treatments in Austin, Texas

At the Greater Austin Pain Center, we don’t just focus on the health and wellbeing of elite athletes, but use our knowledge and expertise in sports medicine to help all patients enjoy active lifestyles. Whether you’ve experienced an injury from overuse or from a specific sports related injury, we can help provide the treatment you need to get back on your feet with our expert sports medicine services and treatments.

What Is Sports Medicine?

Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.

Initially developed to help professional athletes prevent and manage their injuries, sports medicine is now used to help a wide range of patients recover from activity-related injuries, including those caused by specific incidents or from overuse.

Get Professional Treatments for Sports Injuries

Many of us rely on sports and physical activity to keep in shape and stay healthy. So, when we experience a sports injury, it can greatly affect our ability to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. After all, the more time we spend on the sidelines the further we slide back from our fitness goals.

Fortunately, you don’t have to fear sports injuries when you have our team on your side. Our sports medicine experts will identify the nature of your injury and create a personalized treatment plan that will get you back into the game quickly and effectively.

Common Sports Injuries

Frozen Shoulder

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this condition is characterized by pain and loss of motion in the shoulder joint. It is generally more common between ages 40 and 60. Women are more likely to suffer from frozen shoulder.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear

Commonly known as an ACL tear, an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury is a sports-related injury that generally happens when the knee is forcefully twisted or hyperextended.

Rotator Cuff Tear

This sports injury results from pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the shoulder blade, as the arm is lifted. A rotator cuff tear may occur with repeated use of the arm for overhead activities, common in many sports.

Tennis Elbow

Also known as lateral epicondylitis, this painful condition occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overburdened, often through repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.

Tendinitis

Tendonitis is the irritation or inflammation of a tendon. When the thick, fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone become distressed it can cause pain and tenderness outside of the joint. Some types of sport injury related tendonitis:

Golfer’s elbow
Swimmer’s shoulder
Jumper’s knee
Pitcher’s shoulder

Sprains and Strains

Sports-related sprain injuries result from the over-stretching or tearing of the ligaments.

Sports Injuries: Strains vs. Sprains

While strains and sprains share some similarities, they have distinct differences that are important to identify, as it could change the treatment method.

Characteristics of Strains

Mild swelling
Muscle spasms
Difficulty using the joint’s full range of motion
Pain near the affected joint
Diminished flexibility

Characteristics of Sprains

Mild to moderate swelling
Bruising
Inability to use the joint’s full range of motion
More intense pain around the affected joint
Limited flexibility

Sports Injury Prevention

Wondering how to prevent sports injuries in the first place? The science of sports injury prevention has come a long way over the last few decades and there are quite a few things you can do to prevent them.

How to Prevent Sports Injuries

Wear appropriate personal protective gear like helmets, pads, goggles, etc.
Rest your body. You can help to avoid overuse injury and burnout by giving your body regular intervals of down time in between heavy workout sessions.
Progressively increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of your training regimen. This will help you avoid common overuse injuries.
Participate in a variety of physical activities. Some sports are great and working your legs, while others work the upper body or improve your stamina.
Don’t play through the pain. Seek out a sports injury expert to advise you on how to deal with your pain and potential sports injury.

Create a balance between strength, cardiovascular, flexibility, and skills training. This will ensure that the essential areas of your physical wellbeing are progressing at the same level.
Prepare for hazardous environmental conditions, especially in the scorching Austin summer months. Even something as simple as a sunburn can make a significant impact on your wellbeing and fitness goals.
Seek out a sports injury professional for a rehabilitation plan. Online guides can be helpful, but for the best results, a sports medicine specialist can ensure that you heal quickly and safely.

Woman at elevators in front of San Antonio Eye Specialists sign.

Our Process

Schedule an Appointment

Call Greater Austin Pain or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment for a sports medicine consultation. Choose from one of our sports medicine treatment centers in Austin, Kyle, Dripping Springs, and San Marcos.

Create a Treatment Plan

At your appointment, we’ll learn more about your medical history and experience with sports injuries. We’ll then determine a treatment plan and help get you back on the path to fitness and physical wellbeing.

Follow Up

Once we have started you on a sports medicine treatment plan, we will want to follow up with you to gauge your progress and make any necessary changes. By tracking your progress and adapting our personalized treatment plan, we can better predict and assure a quick recovery.

Testimonials

"Dr. Jarzembeck is AMAZING. I HIGHLY recommend her for anyone suffering in pain. She goes above and beyond to make sure her patients pain has been dealt with."

Genia G.

"Everyone is so friendly and helpful, Dr. Bednar came to me and explained the procedure and answered my questions. Highly recommend!"

Maggie G.

"Dr. Julia is the best! The staff is professional and friendly to all. Best of all, Dr. Julia is finding solutions for my chronic pain! Never thought that it would be possible. It's a journey for me, but it seems like there is a solution."

Nancy M.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a sports medicine doctor do?

If you’re experiencing pain from a sports or exercise related injury, a sports medicine doctor in Austin can provide treatment to help you recover from your injury, as well as provide short and long term relief from the pain. Sports medicine specialists can also provide advice on nutrition, supplements, exercise, and injury prevention.

What can sports medicine help treat?

Sports medicine can help you recover from a wide range of sports-related injuries, including but not limited to sprains and strains, ankle, knee and shoulder injuries, cartilage injuries, tendonitis, concussions, and fractures.

Will I need surgery for my sports injury?

Not usually. Most sports related injuries do not need surgery, however it may be recommended in some cases to fix torn tissue or realign bones.

Treatment for a sports injury generally includes taking pain relievers, putting ice on the injured area, and keeping the injured limb immobilized with a cast or sling.

Do I need to see a sports medicine doctor for a sports-related injury?

Not necessarily. While sports medicine doctors have special training to help restore function following a sports-related injury, you don’t need to see a “sports medicine specialist” to get treatment.

It’s also important to keep in mind that sports medicine is not a medical specialty in itself. Most sports medicine healthcare providers are certified in internal medicine, family medicine, or interventional pain management, and simply refer to themselves as “sports medicine experts.”

When should I consider seeing a sports medicine specialist?

If you recently experienced an injury while exercising, participating in sports, or doing any type of physical activity, it may be helpful to see a sports medicine healthcare provider in Austin. That said, you can often get the same level of treatment from a board certified pain specialist as you would from a “sports medicine specialist.”

Please be advised: if you’ve experienced a major injury through exercise or sports, it's always best to seek emergency medical care as soon as possible, as doing so can provide both fast acting relief and prevent further injury. Don’t wait to see a specialist.

Do you only work with athletes in Austin?

No. Sports medicine isn’t limited to athletes (although we do work with them.) Whether you’ve experienced an injury from sports, being active, or from a physically demanding job, we can help provide the treatment you need to fully recover.

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