Do I have to be a competitive athlete to see a sports medicine specialist? No. Absolutely not. In fact, most sports in this country are played not by professional athletes but by the general population.
Participation varies with most of the population playing only intermittently as time, work, family, and other commitments allow, hence the sobriquet weekend warriors.
Sports medicine specialists are recognized by their additional fellowship training in sports medicine. While this additional training often involves experience caring for professional and elite amateur athletes, much of this experience can be applied to recreational athletes, weekend warriors, workers, injuries, and the rest of us who just want to return to full, productive lifestyles.
Sports medicine is a unique discipline focused on returning individuals — typically athletes — to optimum performance. This is no different than an injured worker who wants to return to full duty at work often because his team there is counting on him/her just as much.
While major injuries should be immediately treated in an emergency room, often we sustain less severe injuries at work, at play, or from an accident. These injuries are often thought to be a sprain that will resolve on its own. When the injury persists, sports specialists are able to rapidly diagnose and initiate a treatment plan to alleviate pain and restore function.
Craig Weinstein, MD, MPH is a magna cum laude graduate of Columbia University who received his sports medicine fellowship training at the world famous American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham, Ala. However, Dr. Weinstein has his roots in Arizona — he graduated from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale.
Dr. Weinstein’s specialties include shoulder, elbow, and knee issues as well as athletic injuries in both adult and adolescent patients. He offers state-of-the-art joint preservation as well as advanced treatment of injuries specific to throwing athletes, such as frozen shoulder. In addition, he offers extensive expertise in joint replacement surgery.
Sports & Orthopaedic Specialists will be joining GSC Therapy Services at our location on Brown Road starting Q2 of 2021. Dr. Weinstein can be reached at his office in Gilbert, along with his associate, Dr. William Mezarros, and excellent staff.
For your free consultation, or to learn more about GSC Therapy Services, GSC Elite or Spectrum Sports & Training, call us at (480) 855-8866, or check out our website: gsctherapy.com.