Both doctors of course have your best interests in mind but the focus is different and patients they see have different goals.

Let's start with Sports doctors:

These doctors focus on aiding athletes that have injuries, help them recover and get back to the activity they love. This can be their profession or hobby. This doctor normally focuses on the musculoskeletal system and pain.

What do sports doctors do to help their patients heal?

• They can diagnose and treat disorders that happen to the musculoskeletal system.
• Perform physical exams
• Supervise and guide treatment plans
• Collaborate with athletic trainers, coaches
• Educate about proper movement, exercise, stretching and lifestyle changes

  Common conditions seen are:

• Shoulder, knee, elbow, wrist, foot, ankle pain (any joint that moves really)
  Knee pain
  Tendon and muscle injuries
• Cartilage injuries
• Tendonitis
• Repetitive strain injuries

What do wellness doctors focus on?

Wellness doctors not only help with pain but focus on your entire well being. 

Wellness is always hard to measure because most people think they are well when they are not in pain. Being in pain is awful but just because you are not in pain does not mean you are healthy.  Wellness means your whole body is functioning efficiently.  

Is your body is working at its full capacity optimally? Do you move fluently? Do you have stiffness frequently? How is your digestion, breathing, hormones, sleeping, focus, mood? There are many things that make us tick and function. Wellness doctors focus on improving lifestyle and injury prevention. They don't chase pain.  Bodies are complex and not everyone is the same. Finding out what your needs are for total wellness takes time, communication and focus and wellness really depends on lifestyle.

You know your body more than any other person. You know and understand what your "normal" is. If there is a concern or you think you would be healthier adding something to your life, a wellness doctor will have tips and suggestions for adding healthy lifestyle changes to achieve your goals.

This is why when you see a wellness doctor. It is when you are not in pain, but when want to prevent problems and keep healthy habits.  

The great thing about Dr Amie Gregory, DC, CCEP, is she is both a San Francisco sports and wellness chiropractor. She helps with injuries and teaches you how to prevent problems in the future. She also understands how to keep a body healthy with nutrition, exercises, ergonomics and lifestyle tips. 

Contact our San Francisco office today!  Whether you want to stay healthy or get out of pain, she can help.