A Sports Medicine Physician focuses on both the prevention and treatment of sports- or activity-related illness and injury. They provide comprehensive medical care for athletes, sports teams or non-athlete individuals who are looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sports medicine physicians specialize solely in non-surgical sports medicine and can serve as team physicians at the amateur or professional level.

Sports Medicine differs from Orthopedics in that it focuses solely on the non-surgical aspects of musculoskeletal conditions (which orthopedic surgeons are also trained in). In this case, though, 90% of all sports injuries are usually treated non-operatively. Orthopedic specialists will usually be called in if surgery becomes necessary.

The most common type of problems encountered are acute injuries (sprains, strains, knee and shoulder injuries, and bone fractures) and overuse injuries (like tendonitis and stress fractures). They also treat concussions and other head injuries, as well as athlete-related acute or chronic illnesses, and can be involved in nutrition and supplement recommendations.