How Long Has Sports Medicine Been Around?
When you think of the term ‘sports medicine’, what comes to mind? Runners with strapped ankles? AFL players recovering from torn ACLs? Netballers needing knee physiotherapy? The truth is, sports medicine is all of this— and so much more. Whether you enjoy walking a few times a week or participate in competitive sports, sports medicine is for everybody, and always has been.
This article looks at what sports medicine is, how long it’s been around, and how it may be able to help you. For personalised advice, contact our team at Muscle Joint Bone today.
What is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is a form of healthcare centred around the prevention and treatment of sports injuries. And while it’s often associated with professional athletes, sports medicine includes much more than just elite sportspeople! It’s used to address injuries from all types of physical activities, whether that’s walking, swimming, cycling, or even gardening.
A sports physiotherapist works with people of all fitness levels to assist them in participating in their chosen activities. This may involve injury rehabilitation, pain management, and performance improvement. Common injuries sports physiotherapists may assist with include:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Joint pain
- Fractures
- Tennis/golfer’s elbow
- Shin splints
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
They may also assist people with conditions such as:
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Diabetes
Sports medicine often involves a multi-disciplinary approach, with input from other team members like dietitians and exercise physiologists. This ensures a holistic approach to recovery and long-term wellbeing. Whether you’re recovering from a minor strain or dealing with a more severe injury, sports medicine aims to provide the tools and give you the knowledge to help you perform at your best today and in the future.
The History of Sports Medicine
Sports medicine may seem like a new concept, but it’s anything but! In fact, it dates back to the early days of organised sports in ancient Greece and Rome. The ancient Olympic Games, which started in 776 BC, were one of the first instances where people recognised the importance of physical care for athletes. Even then, athletes required specific care to treat injuries they acquired during competitions, just the same as today.
Sports medicine became more defined around the 5th century BC, thanks to the Greek physician Herodicus. Often referred to as the ‘father of sports medicine’, Herodicus and fellow physician Galen advocated for the use of exercise as a treatment for disease and injury.
However, sports medicine didn’t progress much further until the modern Olympic movement, which came in 1896 with the revived Olympic Games. The rebirth of the Olympics brought a new demand for sports medicine with it, and this continued throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
In 1922, the French Society of Sports Medicine published the first sports medicine journal, signalling the formal recognition of the field. The profession was propelled further forward throughout the 20th century, with many medical organisations providing education, training, and research into sports-related injuries and treatments.
1928 saw the establishment of the International Congress of Sports Medicine, which aimed to help people prevent sports injuries. Sports medicine continued to develop rapidly, with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) forming in 1954 and the Canadian Academy of Sports Medicine in 1968. More groups and organisations established themselves over the following years, including the Australian College of Sports Physicians in 1985 and the International Sports Sciences Association in 1988.
Could Sports Medicine Help Me?
Sports medicine isn’t just for professional athletes! Whether you’re recovering from an injury you got while walking or want to prevent future running injuries, sports medicine aims to keep you active. The goal is to promote healing while improving your mobility, flexibility, and strength, at whatever activity level you’re comfortable with.
Start Your Sports Medicine Journey with Muscle Joint Bone
If you’re dealing with a sports injury, want to improve your performance, or want to see how you may be able to prevent future injuries, sports medicine may be the solution you’ve been looking for. At Muscle Joint Bone, our experienced team of sports physiotherapists is ready to help you work towards your goals and get back to doing what you love. Ready to start your journey? Contact us today!