How Building a Healthcare Team Can Impact Your Life

{By: Dr. Tricia Beatty} When was the last time you went to a doctor that wasn’t your primary care or gynecologist? There’s a tendency to rely on these two specialists for all of your medical questions and concerns. Don’t get me wrong – these types of physicians are incredibly important and well-versed in much of your healthcare; however, no matter your age, building a bigger healthcare “team” is vital for well-rounded wellness.  What is a healthcare team, you ask? It’s like building an army – having a diverse group of people with different skill sets all focusing on the same goal: your health, longevity, happiness, and well-being. 

A good healthcare team may consist of a primary care physician, a dermatologist, a dietician, etc.: giving you multiple perspectives on what it means to live a healthy life. My question for you is, have you ever considered adding a sports medicine physician to your team? Sports medicine is a practice that is often overlooked, due to the idea it only serves injured athletes. That can’t be further from the case. Whether you’re 8 years old or 108, the main goal of a sports medicine physician is to keep your body moving in the way it should be, athlete or not. 

Sports medicine physicians like me and my team at Beatty Harris Sports Medicine are unique in a lot of ways. For example, we receive a year of specialized training focused on the non-surgical approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries and the management of medical conditions in athletes and physically active people (ie. concussions, athletic performance concerns, and arthritis). 

We also specialize in understanding which injuries require surgery and which can be managed without. There are many options to manage painful musculoskeletal injuries non-operatively including ultrasound-guided injections of cortisone, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), and hyaluronic acid. We also use innovative procedures like Tenex tenotomy and shock wave therapy to target chronic tendinopathies.

Healthcare isn’t a one size fits all. You deserve a dedicated healthcare team that works together in giving you comprehensive, personalized care. Whether you have an old nagging injury or chronic pain, a sports medicine physician should be your first stop to recovery. Always consult with your primary care doctor to see where you can add to your Healthcare Team.

There are many options to manage painful musculoskeletal injuries non-operatively including ultrasound-guided injections of cortisone, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP), and hyaluronic acid. We also use innovative procedures like Tenex tenotomy and shock wave therapy to target chronic tendinopathies.