9 Types of Therapists in Sports Medical Clinics
Injuries and pains are the parts of your life when you are a good athlete or sportsman. You have to face several cuts, bruises, burns, scratches and other injuries in various consequences. Similar to the injuries and the pains, there are various departments of sports medicine clinics in Dubai and other places where various therapists provide different types of treatments. Let us know about the therapists and their departments.
1. Athletic Therapist
This therapy was first started in Canada, and it was governed by the Canadian Athletic Therapist Association (CATA). A comprehensive theory exam is taken and the certificate for the exam is provided to the therapists.
Athletic therapists treat a range of sportsmen who are injured by any kind of accident. They apply some techniques such as contemporary rehabilitative technique, soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic modalities, supportive strapping procedures and physical reconditioning.
These therapists complete a degree course in the main subject from a reputed institution, and after that, they complete an internship of 1200 hours where they are provided practical experience and supervision. These therapists provide hand and wrist injury treatment, ankle and foot injury treatment, hip injury treatment, etc.
2. Occupational Therapist
An occupational therapist (OT) treats and assesses various psychological and physical disabilities. These disabilities may get caused by sports injuries or accidents also. To overcome such problems, you can take the help of a renowned occupational therapist.
The main role of the patient is to assist the daily activities of the patients for overcoming their problems. Some daily activities and sessions are arranged by the therapists for the sportsmen who are injured due to the accident. The therapists teach the patients for using different types of adaptive aids for leading life easier and curing various problems.
The occupational therapists pass a 3-year degree course of BSC (Hons) in occupational therapy. Some therapists complete a 2 years master's degree program from that subject. The others do part-time study in the field of OT assistants, which takes an average 4 years. After the course completes, the OT registers the information to the Health Professional Council. The courses help the therapists assist the need of their patients.
3. Chiropractor
The treatment of chiropractors focuses on musculoskeletal and spinal problems. This doctor looks after the problems of bones and joints around the spine with an aim to reduce various kinds of other problems that are related to your bones.
Techniques like acupuncture and Hijama therapy are also provided by the chiropractor for treating arthritis, spinal problem, calcium deficiency, etc. A chiropractor can treat the diseases that are related to bones and muscles. These special therapists also learn massaging around certain areas and soft tissue work triggering different points of your body.
4. Osteopath
Osteopathy is a common treatment to detect and treat damages to your ligaments, muscles, joints, and nerves. When your body is efficient and joined, it works like a well-tuned engine.
The osteopaths are known best for their back-pain treatment. They treat a number of conditions that include strain injury, postural problem, and pregnancy. Some sports injuries such as joint and spinal injuries are also treated by osteopaths.
The General Osteopathic Council regulates Osteopathy. The osteopaths meet the high standards of competency. The osteopaths complete their Honours degree in 4-5 years.
5. Physiotherapist
The physiotherapists or physical therapists have knowledge in shockwave modality, kinesiology, electrotherapy, and joint mobilization to treat soft tissue injuries, acute pain, arthritis, cartilage damage, physical impairments, gait disorder, and musculoskeletal problems.
The physiotherapists learn how to give physical therapy to cure the physical injuries caused while playing sports. He or she completes a 2-3-year course in physiotherapy, and they learn how to take care of the injured patients by doing acupuncture therapy or other physical therapies. The physiotherapist can have the letters MCPS (Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) after their name, once they complete their degree of physiotherapy, and receive certificates.
6. Sports Massage Therapist
A sports massage therapist or masseur practice the skill of giving massage to those people who are injured due to sports accidents or who are in a pain from a long time. He or she needs 6 months to 1-year training to learn the skills of providing massage. These types of therapies also help in rejuvenating your body and the joints.
The sports massage therapist or masseur not only treat the injuries but also give preventive care tips to those people who experience the pain. These health practitioners also help you in maintaining your posture by giving a massage. Some doctors suggest taking regular massage to athletes or sportsmen because of their body pain. The masseurs give a proper massage to each part of your body and keep the organs stimulated.
7. Podiatrist
A podiatrist treats and diagnoses abnormalities in the lower limb which may cause due to an accident which is caused by sports. This therapist also provides advice to prevent several types of foot problems.
The podiatrist works private clinic, hospital department, and GP surgery. The podiatrists acquire a Bachelor's degree from the Health Professions Council (HPC).
8. Sports Rehabilitator
This rehabilitator graduate from the degree-level Sports Rehabilitation Course. This course is done for 3-4 years. The sports rehabilitators also acquire public liability insurance to practice it in various places. They complete a set of Continued Professional Development (CPD) over every two-year period to increase the efficiency of their knowledge and the course.
9. Sports Therapist
The sports therapists help in treating the injured athletes only. They focus on head injury, waist injury, hip injury, leg injury, knee injury, shoulder injury, foot injury, and ankle injury. If you are injured with an accident while playing games, then the sports therapist will help you in recovering by providing special therapies and medicines.
Most of the sports therapists are the members of the Sports Therapy Organization. They get the certificate of Continued Professional Development and learn new techniques after doing research to become a good sports therapist.
You will get these special sports therapists at the medical centre in Dubai who will help treat your injuries and relieve your pain along with the other health issues in the finest way possible with the modern techniques.