What is Sports Medicine? with Dr. Derrick Burgess

Sports thrive on the strength of unity, and hidden within that unity are the unsung heroes of sports medicine who fortify the bonds between athleticism and well-being. Sports medicine is the secret ingredient that ensures athletes can push their limits while staying safe. It is a particular branch of medicine specializing in treating and preventing injuries. It consists of dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to ensure athletes’ health and performance remain at their peak. Hence, while the excitement of the game takes center stage, their watchful eyes and skilled hands help athletes perform at their best.

 

Furthermore, one of the significant problems sports medicine practitioners face is the high-pressure environment of sports events. They often encounter circumstances that require them to make quick actions and decisions, such as when an athlete faces a severe injury. Sports medicine specialists need to be equipped to treat their patients with care, assess them, and determine the next step necessary for an athlete to undergo. As a good quote stated, “The true champions aren’t always the ones holding trophies; they’re also the dedicated sports medicine professionals who tirelessly care for the athletes, mending bodies and spirits.”

 

In this solo episode, Dr. Derrick Burgess will share his firsthand experiences on the sidelines and his in-depth insights into sports medicine’s critical role in safeguarding athletes’ health and well-being. Tune in today as we delve into the intricate balance between injury prevention and immediate treatment, particularly in high-contact sports where rapid intervention can mean the difference between life and death. Be empowered as we discover the profound impact that sports medicine practitioners can have in critical moments. 

 

“Sports medicine is a special branch of medicine where we specialize in the treatment of not only athletes but truly active people, and it’s not only treating injuries, we also specialize in injury prevention.” – Dr. Derrick Burgess

 

Topics Covered:

(00:00:00) Introduction 

(00:00:45) What is Sports Medicine?

(00:02:25) Who makes up the Sports Medicine team?

(00:04:30) Sports Medicine practitioners are in many different locations.

(00:05:08) The seriousness of the sports medicine specialist’s role in times of emergencies

(00:05:36) Urgent Care on the Sidelines

(00:06:17) The importance of recognizing and addressing concussions.

(00:07:51) The significance of pre-participation physicals in assessing athletes’ health

(00:09:03) How do we help prevent heat illness?

(00:10:27) Monitoring hydration and nutrition to prevent heat illness.

(00:10:54) Heat Timeouts

(00:12:18) When do we seek medical help for an injury?

(00:14:07) Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess

(00:14:23) Outro

 

 

Key Takeaways: 

 

“You might see us on the sideline, in the office, in the gym, with the strength and conditioning coaches from a training standpoint or in that workout facility. We are in many different locations.” – Dr. Derrick Burgess

 

“Recognition is important because athletes need to be removed from the game immediately and assessed to determine whether or not they can go back in. And then if they are held from play when it’s safe for them to return to activity.” – Dr. Derrick Burgess

 

 

“For people involved in sports medicine, always assess your athletes because you will be very helpless sitting watching someone have an asthma attack when you intervene.” – Dr. Derrick Burgess

 

“Making sure your athletes are well-hydrated as well as well-fed leading up to activities is an important way to combat heat illness.” – Dr. Derrick Burgess

 

“Many people think that you have to go to medical school to be in sports medicine or you have to be a trainer, but they don’t know the wide breadth of what we do in this specialty.” – Dr. Derrick Burgess

 

Connect with Dr. Derrick Burgess:

Website: https://www.drderrickthesportsdr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drderrickthesportsdr/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TimeOut.SportsDr

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derrick-burgess-72047b246/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHGDu1zT4K_X6PnYELu8weg

Email: thesportsdoctr@gmail.com

 

This episode of TimeOut with the SportsDr. is produced by Podcast VAs Philippines – the team that helps podcasters effectively launch and manage their podcasts, so we don’t have to. Record, share, and repeat! Podcast VAs PH gives me back my time so that I can focus on the core functions of my business. Need expert help with your podcast? Go to www.podcastvasph.com.