A sports medicine specialist treats exercise and sports related injuries. The primary focus of a sports medicine specialist is the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of sport/exercise related injuries. The diagnostic tools used to identify each specific injury include clinical experience dealing with similar/common issues, orthopedic tests, and diagnostic imaging (MRI, X-ray etc.).
Prevention of such injuries can be accomplished via stretching, strengthening, nutrition, and developing specific/custom workout routines to make sure a condition does not re-occur. Treatment for such issues can vary but may include soft tissue work (myofascial release, Active release therapy, deep tissue massage), spinal manipulation, stretching, and electrical stimulation. Ultimately the primary purpose of your sports injury specialist is to alleviate the pain you may be experiencing and get you back to the activities that you want to participate in with the same if not better functionality.