Courtesy Photo Daniel Diaz, a doctor of osteopathic medicine, examines a patient via ultrasound at a WellSport location.

ALPENA — MyMichigan Health, the Midland-based owner of the Alpena hospital, recently expanded its WellSport sports management program to Alpena.

The program specializes in treating patients who are dealing with musculoskeletal injuries, including sprains, strains, and fractures, non-surgically.

“All of our physicians have completed advanced fellowship training in primary care sports medicine and specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of a wide variety of musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries and medical conditions,” Jack Pinney, a doctor and medical director of Wellsport, said in a statement.

WellSport provides comprehensive care in the region, especially to younger athletes.

The program has been in Midland for 14 years, according to Pinney. It took MyMichigan a while to expand the program to Alpena.

“Getting specialists to remote areas is challenging,” Pinney said. “Finding the right people takes time.”

After residency, a post-graduate training program where newly graduated doctors gain hands-on experience, physicians must complete a one to two year sports medicine fellowship to work in the program.

Pinney said that the program cares for people of all ages, with the goal being to minimize effects of injuries.

Around 90% of the injuries through WellSport don’t require surgery, according to Pinney. The 10% that do are set up to be seen for surgery promptly.

“See us as a quarterback of a team,” Pinney said.

WellSport is used as a fast-track into the system. Otherwise, patients would have to wait three to four months to see a surgeon.

The medical aspects of WellSport include managing concussions, diabetes, and obesity.

Pinney said that patients are taught to use exercise as medicine.

WellSport uses ultrasound technology, which shows the structures inside the body, to diagnose and treat their patients. Chronic issues, such as arthritis, are also treated this way.

People appreciate being treated promptly, according to Pinney. WellSport’s goal is to get them back into the game quickly, whether it’s for life or sports.

“Everyone’s an athlete, or should be,” Pinney said.

Pinney said great results are happening, especially with the ultrasound procedures that are being done.

Anyone can take advantage of WellSport. It educates patients that exercise is a way to prevent health problems.

For younger people, WellSport often helps intervene with sports injuries.

For older people, intervention often comes through osteo-arthiritis treatment. Osteo-arthiritis is a chronic disease that occurs when the cartilage and bone in a joint break down.

The program helps to keep them going, according to Pinney.

WellSport helps coordinate the care of people of all ages, with the goal of minimizing the effects of injuries. Sometimes, an orthopedic, or bone and muscle specialist, needs to be seen.

Pinney is excited to have sports medicine in the Alpena region. It is valuable to help and see people promptly so they can get the care that they need, according to Pinney.

WellSport works with a wide range of insurances and works with people without it so they can get the care that they need, Pinney said.

Those who wish to learn more can visit mymichigan.org/wellsport or call the toll-free number at 833-923-3444.

Maxwell Olmstead can be reached at 989-358-5687 or molmstead@TheAlpenaNews.com.