When people hear “sports medicine,” they often think of professional athletes or orthopedic surgeons in an operating room. But as a non-surgical sports medicine physician, I’ll be the first to admit the name can be a bit of a misnomer. You don’t have to be a pro athlete to see a sports medicine doctor. While you might see me on the sidelines at a game ready to evaluate a sprained ankle, I actually spend the majority of my time in the clinic helping patients from all walks of life move better.

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) represents non-surgical sports medicine physicians and was founded in 1991 to cover the gap in how we treated bone and joint pain. On one end, you had primary care doctors managing general health; on the other, surgeons performing operations. My specialty was created to fill the space in between.

To become board-certified in this field, physicians complete fellowship training focused specifically on head-to-toe orthopedic care without surgery. This includes working alongside physical therapists, athletic trainers, and surgeons to coordinate a total recovery plan tailored to you. We also use specialized tools like ultrasound-guided injections to treat the source of your pain with extreme precision.

Who Do I See in the Clinic?

While I do care for athletes, the majority of my patients aren't competitive at all. I often see patients who fall into that "middle ground." Maybe you’ve had hip pain for months but aren't ready for surgery. Or perhaps you have a bulging disc causing back pain, and you simply don’t know where to start. That is where I come in.

In fact, one of the most common conditions I treat is arthritis. My door is open to anyone dealing with:

• Persistent Aches: Understanding why a joint has been lingering in pain and how to fix it.
• Non-Surgical Injuries: Managing fractures, rotator cuff problems, and tendon issues that don't require an operation.
• Back and Neck Pain: Helping you navigate sciatica or chronic stiffness.

At the end of the day, my job is to provide patient-centered care. I take pride in getting to know my patients and building individualized treatment plans based on your goals—whether that’s returning to work, staying active, or simply living life more comfortably.

Whether you are dealing with a sudden injury or a nagging pain that just won’t go away, specialized sports medicine care can help you get back to doing what you love.