Sports Medicine is a broadly used term encompassing all aspects of an athlete's health effecting performance. This label is being used by massage therapists, athletic trainers, podiatrists, dietitians, psychologists, exercise physiologists, chiropractors, surgeons, physical therapists and several specialties of allopathic and osteopathic physicians. Certainly, anything effecting health may effect performance and the practitioner with the broadest and deepest view of these aspects can offer the athlete the best advice.

A physician with a personal athletic background gives an important added dimension. He can emphathize with the athlete and his or her goals. Not all sports medicine problems are musculoskeletal, but the vast majority are. A physician with training and experience in Orthopaedic Medicine, Acupuncture, Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy and Podiatry can diagnose and treat the majority of these problems and know when to refer to a surgeon, physical therapist or other qualified health care practitioners.

Sports specific rehabilitation, conditioning and injury prevention are important aspects of Sports Medicine. This type of medical care is best provided by a holistic practitioner who can see the total view of the athlete's health. Recreational athletes or even someone to whom a work out is a walk around the block can benefit from this expertise.