HOW SPORTS MEDICINE IS HELPING TO FIGHT THE OPIOID CRISIS

For the past few years, the world has witnessed a skyrocketing of opioid related death among athletes. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), death rates from opioid overdoses have tripled between 1999 and 2016. This presents a major Opioid Crisis that threatens the health and safety of athletes.

Alarmingly, the most common gateway to an opioid addiction among athletes is as a quick pain reliever for injuries. This quest for quick pain relief from sports injuries has severe medical, social, and economic repercussions that in some cases even leads to death.

Clearly, there is a dire need for a solution that helps facilitate athletes after a sports related injury, without throwing them down the dark path of addiction.

Luckily, the growth of sports medicine offers a solution to this opioid crisis.

What is Sports Medicine?

Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on helping people improve their athletic performance, recover from injuries, and prevent future injuries. It combines disciplines such as general medicine, physiology, sport & exercise science, biomechanics, and nutrition for the purpose of facilitating patients in their exercise, fitness, and athletic endeavors.

A sports medicine physician is a qualified practitioner with specialized training in the treatment and prevention of sports or exercise related illness and injury. They provide comprehensive medical care for athletes, sports teams and even to active individuals who are simply looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Major responsibilities of a sports medicine physician include:

  • Health and performance monitoring
  • Injury reduction
  • Physical performance enhancement
  • Non-operative treatment of sports injuries and musculoskeletal conditions
  • Injury rehabilitation

Sports medicine can be a safe and effective solution for pain management and treatment of various sports and exercise related injuries.

How Sports Medicine Can Help Fight the Opioid Crisis?

There has been an increase in specialized sports medicine physician in Dubai, who offer safe and effective treatment and prevention of exercise related injuries. Sports medicine offers innovative approaches to treating sports injuries using non-drug related techniques and treatments. This includes monitored exercise, cold therapy, physiotherapy, and elevation techniques.

By moving away from prescription reliant treatments and towards more holistic treatment approaches, sports medicine has the potential to prevent the intake of powerful drugs such as opioids in the first place. Moreover, a sports medicine physician can offer a treatment plan that delivers immediate and permanent relief, which reduces the need for athletes to take opioids as a “quick pain relief” solution.

By taking away the need for opioids, individuals will be less likely to seek such drugs, reducing cases of addiction and overcoming the opioid crisis.

Why Choose Sports Medicine?

Addiction is a serious ailment that can lead to the destruction of lives and untimely deaths. There is a great need to control the opioid addiction rates, particularly in the sports industry. Sports medicine offers an opportunity to fight the addiction rate by eliminating the need for powerful drugs and offering safer and more effective solutions instead.

If you are suffering from a sports related injury, it may be tempting to seek out quick relief from a powerful drug. But the negative consequences will greatly overweigh any fast benefits from the opioids. Therefore, choose the safer and better option by opting for treatment from a qualified sports medicine practitioner in Dubai.

Where to Find the Best Sports Medicine Physician in Dubai?

Seek effective treatment and prevention from sports injuries at the German Heart Centre. Dr. Ramzy Ross is the best sports medicine physician in Dubai, with PhD level qualification and years of experience in treating Olympic Gold and World Champion athletes.

Whether you are a professional athlete, fitness lover, or just beginning an exercise routine, Dr. Ross can offer you optimal prevention and treatment of sports and exercise related injuries. Book an appointment with Dr. Ramzy Ross at the German Heart Centre today!

Book An Appointment

Receive the latest updates

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get notified about new updates.