Careers in Sports Medicine & Allied HealthCare and Skeletal Anatomy

Careers in Sports Medicine & Allied HealthCare

  • Athletic Trainer (ATC):
    • Defined as a healthcare professional who specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal injuries and medical conditions. They work under the direction of a physician, optimizing activity and participation of patients.
  • Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT):
    • A healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
  • Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) with Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP):
    • Chiropractors diagnose and treat neuromuscular disorders, with a focus on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine. CCSP is a specialty certification for chiropractors who treat sports-related injuries.
  • Orthopedist:
    • A medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. They may use surgical or non-surgical methods to treat injuries, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors,and congenital conditions.
  • Exercise Physiologist:
    • A healthcare professional who prescribes exercise to treat or prevent chronic diseases. They work with a variety of populations, including those with cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic diseases.
  • Occupational Therapist (OT):
    • Healthcare professional who helps people improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. OTs work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabling.
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach:
    • A fitness professional who uses exercise prescription to improve athletic performance. They focus on enhancing strength, speed, power, and agility.
  • Coaches:
    • Individuals involved in training athletes. Coaches often work closely with sports medicine professionals to ensure athlete safety.
  • Orthopedic Physician Assistants (PA):
    • Licensed healthcare professionals authorized to practice medicine under physician supervision. Orthopedic PAs assist orthopedists in surgery, clinic, and hospital settings.
  • Orthopedic Nurse Practitioners (NP):
    • Advanced practice registered nurses with specialized education and training in orthopedics. They can diagnose, treat, and manage orthopedic conditions.
  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT):
    • Fitness professionals who assess, motivate, educate, and train clients regarding their health and fitness needs. They design and implement exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals or those cleared for exercise.
  • Health Promotions & Fitness Consultant:
    • Professionals who develop and implement programs to promote health and wellness. They may work in a variety of settings, including corporate wellness programs and community health organizations.
  • Sports Nutritionists:
    • Specialized nutritionists who advise athletes on optimal nutrition for performance and health. They develop personalized nutrition plans to support training, recovery, and competitive events.
  • Radiologists:
    • Medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries using medical imaging techniques such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound.
  • Radiologic Technologists (Rad Techs):
    • Healthcare professionals who perform diagnostic imaging examinations and administer radiation therapy treatments.

Skeletal Anatomy

  • Anterior Skeletal System:
    • Skull: The bony framework of the head.
    • Clavicle: (Collarbone) A bone of the shoulder that connects the sternum (breastbone) to the scapula (shoulder blade).
    • Sternum: (Breastbone) A flat bone located in the center of the chest.
    • Ribs: Bones enclosing the Thorax
    • Humerus: The long bone of the upper arm, extending from the shoulder to the elbow.
    • Vertebral Column: The spine, consisting of vertebrae extending from the skull to the pelvis.
    • Pelvic Girdle: Bony structure at base of trunk, consisting of the ilium, ischium, and pubis.
      • Illium: The uppermost and largest bone of the pelvis.
      • Ischium: The lower, posterior portion of the pelvis.
      • Pubis: The anterior portion of the pelvis.
    • Radius: The bone on the thumb side of the forearm.
    • Ulna: The bone on the pinky side of the forearm.
    • Carpals: Wrist bones.
    • Metacarpals: Hand bones.
    • Phalanges (Hand): Fingers.
    • Femur: The thigh bone; the longest and strongest bone in the human body.
    • Patella: (Kneecap) A small bone located in front of the knee joint.
    • Tibia: (Shinbone) The larger of the two bones in the lower leg.
    • Fibula: The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg.
    • Tarsals: Ankle bones.
    • Metatarsals: Foot bones.
    • Phalanges (Foot): Toes.
  • Posterior Skeletal System:
    • Skull
    • Scapula: (Shoulder blade) A flat, triangular bone located in the upper back.
    • Humerus
    • Ribs
    • Vertebral Column
    • Pelvic Girdle
      • Illium
      • Ischium
      • Pubis
    • Radius
    • Ulna
    • Carpals
    • Metacarpals
    • Phalanges (Hand)
    • Femur
    • Patella
    • Tibia
    • Fibula
    • Tarsals
    • Metatarsals
    • Phalanges (Foot)