Sports medicine is commonly thought of through the lens of reactive treatments. In other words, an athlete or active person suffers from nagging injuries and the immediate and wise reaction is to visit a doctor for care. No one would suggest there is anything wrong with this approach, but to only look at sports medicine through this lens is unfortunate. Sports medicine consistently conducts research intended to help improve the quality of people's lives. Examining preventive care from a sports medicine perspective could help with improving health in a proactive manner. This requires staying up to date on sports medicine research and consulting with a physician during a checkup.

The Racquet Revelation

Everyone wants to live longer and healthier. This is why so many choose the sportive life. Others simply prefer to spend a little time in the gym lifting weights and running on a treadmill. Few in the healthcare profession are going to argue against these tried and true methods. New research, however, suggests there may be a better way to improve one's lifespan: engaging in racquet sports. A recent study shows participating in racquet sports can reduce certain mortality rates. No, playing tennis and badminton won't exactly guarantee a long life but research does clearly reveal positive effects. Those who are interested in potentially increasing their lifespan might find there is nothing to lose by engaging in racquet sports.

The "racquet revelation", at the very least, should a road map for the health conscious to follow:

• Examine Desired Improvements

A determination about improving the quality of one's life begins with determining what current nagging issues are most problematic. Back pain could very well be reducing the quality of someone's life. Recent studies show that coordination exercises could cut down on back pain. Based on a doctor's recommendation, these exercises might yield far better benefits than taking OTC medicine.

• Undergo an Examination

Back pain or any other type of ailment could be caused by any untold number of reasons. Only through a proper examination can a physician determine what the exact problem is and whether or not sports activities can support an effective treatment. The physician can also make a referral to a physical therapist capable of working a client through the exercises if need be.

Follow Recommendations

Reading up on research is a good thing. So is being informed. Both have limitations though. If a doctor or physical therapist make specific recommendations for exercises or activities, do not change intensity levels or approaches without double-checking with the doctor/physical therapist, such as at http://www.advancedphysicaltherapyofsj.com, first.