Athlete discusses rehabilitation massage and exercises with her chiropractor/nurse practitioner after sports injury
Sports injuries happen everywhere—on school fields, community courts, gyms, and weekend leagues. Sprained ankles, low back pain, shoulder strains, knee injuries, and even concussions can stop an athlete’s season in a moment.
In the past, care usually meant waiting for an in-person visit, driving to a clinic, and sitting in a waiting room while you were in pain. Today, telemedicine makes it possible to meet with a provider by secure video from home. An integrative team that includes a chiropractor and a nurse practitioner (NP) can now evaluate, guide, and support athletes remotely.
Telemedicine:
Cuts travel time and makes visits easier to fit into busy training or work schedules (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025). hopkinsmedicine.org
Gives athletes quick access to sports injury expertise, often the same day (Injure Free Team, 2025; OrthoLive, 2018). InjureFree+1
Allows detailed rehab coaching and follow-up at home, similar to virtual physical therapy (SportsMD Editors, 2025; Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy, 2023). SportsMD+1
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, uses this kind of integrative telemedicine approach in his personal injury and sports-related practice. His clinic blends chiropractic care, nurse practitioner assessment, advanced imaging, and guided rehab through secure virtual visits so injured athletes can keep moving forward, even when they cannot easily get to the clinic (Jimenez, n.d.-a; Jimenez, n.d.-b). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+1
Telemedicine (or telehealth) means using video or phone visits, secure messaging, and online tools to deliver health care when the patient and provider are in different locations (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025). hopkinsmedicine.org
For sports injuries, telemedicine can include:
Video visits with an NP and chiropractor for history, symptom review, and movement testing.
Secure sharing of imaging reports (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) and prior records.
Guided rehab sessions where a provider watches exercises and adjusts the plan.
Ongoing messaging to answer questions and tweak home programs.
Benefits that matter to athletes:
Less time away from school, work, or training.
No long drives after games or practices.
Faster first contact after an injury, which supports better outcomes and better documentation in personal injury cases (Jimenez, n.d.-a). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
An integrative model combines the strengths of both professions:
The nurse practitioner typically:
Takes a full medical history and reviews medications and conditions.
Performs a systems-based exam (cardiovascular, neurologic, respiratory, etc.).
Orders diagnostic imaging and lab tests when needed.
Prescribes and adjusts medications, such as anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, and migraine treatments, when appropriate.
Screens for red-flag emergencies and decides when ER or urgent care is needed.
The chiropractor typically:
Focuses on the spine, joints, muscles, and posture.
Reviews sport mechanics and previous injuries.
Uses findings from imaging and the exam to plan spinal and extremity adjustments, soft-tissue work, or corrective exercises.
Designs movement and return-to-play progressions that match the sport.
Together, through telemedicine, they can:
Provide early, comprehensive triage.
Create a single, unified game plan that covers both medical and mechanical aspects.
Coordinate care with athletic trainers, coaches, and physical therapists.
Dr. Jimenez’s clinical model shows this clearly: his NP-chiropractor team uses telemedicine to evaluate injuries, guide rehab, adjust medications when needed, and coordinate in-person visits or imaging when needed (Jimenez, n.d.-a). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
A telemedicine visit for a sports injury is far more than a quick video chat. A careful remote exam can answer many of the same questions as an in-person visit, especially when guided by an experienced team (SportsMD Editors, 2025). SportsMD
A typical first virtual visit may include:
History and symptom review
When and how the injury happened.
Type of sport, position, and recent changes in training load.
Pain location, intensity, and triggers.
Red-flag questions (numbness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath).
Guided visual exam
The NP and chiropractor ask the athlete to:
Stand and walk in front of the camera.
Perform basic movements (squat, lunge, bend, reach overhead).
Show where it hurts with a finger.
Demonstrate sport-specific motions (throwing, cutting, jumping) if safe.
Targeted functional tests
Simple balance tasks.
Single-leg stance or heel raises.
Range-of-motion checks for neck, shoulder, hip, knee, or ankle.
Sports telehealth services have shown that video-based examinations can be highly effective for many musculoskeletal problems and functional assessments (SportsMD Editors, 2025). SportsMD
One of the most powerful uses of telemedicine is sideline triage when a concussion or serious injury is suspected during a game.
Sports telehealth platforms allow remote sports doctors to:
Connect immediately with athletic trainers or coaches through video.
Watch the replayed video of the hit or fall when available.
Guide simple neurological and balance tests.
Help decide whether the athlete should be removed from play and sent to an ER (OrthoLive, 2018). OrthoLive
Key concussion-related benefits:
Immediate expert input instead of leaving decisions to coaches alone.
Greater safety when deciding if an athlete can return to play the same day.
Early documentation that supports later care and legal needs.
Dr. Jimenez’s emphasis on early telemedicine assessment after trauma fits this pattern: he uses video visits to document early symptom patterns and guide the next steps, including imaging, in-person exams, or specialist referrals when needed (Jimenez, n.d.-a). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
Not every sports injury can be fully handled over video. The NP’s medical scope is crucial here.
Through telemedicine, the nurse practitioner can:
Decide whether X-rays, MRI, CT, or ultrasound are needed.
Order imaging at a local center and review digital reports in a follow-up video visit.
Screen for conditions like fractures, blood clots, infections, or cardiac problems that require urgent in-person care.
Telemedicine platforms in sports medicine routinely combine remote visits with local imaging and follow-up, improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary ER trips when the injury is minor (OrthoLive, 2018). OrthoLive
The chiropractor uses this information to:
Confirm that spine or joint adjustments are safe.
Focus treatment on soft-tissue injury, biomechanics, and posture.
Plan a sequence of care that blends manual therapy (when in-person) with detailed home exercises and education.
In Dr. Jimenez’s practice, telemedicine visits are integrated with advanced imaging and detailed documentation. This helps link mechanics of injury (such as a twist, fall, or collision) to objective findings on MRI or CT and supports injury dating and causation opinions when needed for personal-injury cases (Jimenez, n.d.-a). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
Once the virtual exam and any needed imaging are complete, the NP and chiropractor build a shared plan.
Common pieces of a telemedicine sports injury plan include:
Acute phase support
Rest and activity modification guidelines.
Medication plan when appropriate (for example, short-term NSAIDs under NP guidance).
Bracing or taping recommendations.
Chiropractic and rehab phase
When safe, scheduling in-person visits for adjustments, soft-tissue work, or dry needling where allowed by scope.
Corrective exercises to stabilize joints, improve posture, and restore range of motion.
Sport-specific drills are introduced in a graded, step-by-step fashion.
Monitoring and progression
Regular telemedicine check-ins to review pain levels, function, and training logs.
Updating exercise intensity, sets, and reps.
Adjusting medications, supplements, or bracing as the body heals.
Telehealth physical therapy studies show that virtual programs can be as effective as in-person care for many musculoskeletal problems, with outcomes similar to in-person care for function and quality of life (SportsMD Editors, 2025). SportsMD
Telemedicine is especially strong in the rehabilitation phase. Athletes are at home, in their real environment, with their real training schedule. This is the perfect setting for guided recovery.
Telehealth physiotherapy and physical therapy services often provide:
Individualized exercise programs delivered through apps or videos.
Real-time video coaching to correct form and protect healing tissue.
Remote monitoring of progress, including pain scores and performance markers.
Freedom to do sessions before or after work or school, removing travel as a barrier (Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy, 2023; SportsMD Editors, 2025). sportsandexercise.physio+1
In an integrative NP–chiropractor model, at-home recovery might involve:
Spine and posture work
Daily mobility routines for neck, mid-back, and low back.
Ergonomic coaching for homework, computer work, or gaming.
Joint-specific rehab
Structured ankle, knee, hip, or shoulder progressions.
Balance and stability drills for return to cutting and jumping.
Performance-based goals
Return-to-run programs.
Handgrip or shoulder strength goals for throwers and lifters.
Dr. Jimenez reports that frequent telemedicine check-ins make it easier to reinforce correct movement patterns, coach form, and keep patients accountable to their home program, especially when pain is improving, but full strength is not yet restored (Jimenez, n.d.-b). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
Sports recovery is not only about joints and muscles. Telemedicine opens a door to whole-person care.
From the NP and chiropractor team, plus associated dietitians and mental-health professionals, athletes can receive remote support for:
Nutrition
Anti-inflammatory eating patterns, hydration, and protein intake during reduced training.
Timing of meals around rehab sessions.
Weight management for athletes who cannot train at their usual level (Jimenez, n.d.-a; Injure Free Team, 2025). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+1
Sleep and recovery routines
Bedtime habits and screen-time limits.
Relaxation strategies to calm a busy mind.
Mental health and performance anxiety
Access to mental health professionals through virtual visits.
Support for fear of re-injury or loss of identity during time away from sport (Injure Free Team, 2025; Savoie, 2025). InjureFree+1
Nully Medical notes that telemedicine can help athletes stay on top of follow-up plans and use virtual visits to discuss symptoms, training issues, and performance worries without disrupting their schedules (Savoie, 2025). Nully Medical LLC
Many athletes live far from sports-medicine clinics or have limited transportation. Telemedicine solves several of these access problems:
Video visits can be done from home, school, or the gym.
There is no need for long drives, parking, or waiting rooms.
Family members or coaches can join the video visit from different locations to hear the plan (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025). hopkinsmedicine.org
Telehealth physical therapy and telehealth sports programs have shown that:
Access improves for people in rural or remote areas.
Patients save time and money on travel and missed work.
Adherence to rehab plans often increases when visits are easier to attend (SportsMD Editors, 2025; Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy, 2023). SportsMD+1
For Dr. Jimenez’s cross-border and regional patients, telemedicine has become an important way to keep athletes engaged in care even when they cannot travel to El Paso for frequent in-person visits (Jimenez, n.d.-b). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
From his combined perspective as a chiropractor and nurse practitioner, Dr. Jimenez reports several consistent patterns in telemedicine sports injury care (Jimenez, n.d.-a; Jimenez, n.d.-b). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic+1
He has observed that telemedicine:
Speeds up initial contact after crashes, falls, or sports injuries, which improves documentation and clarifies causation.
Makes it easier to reassess and fine-tune plans, including imaging orders, medications, and rehab goals.
Helps athletes feel more supported because they can ask questions earlier rather than waiting weeks for an office slot.
Works especially well when the NP and chiropractor appear together in the same virtual visit, so the athlete hears one clear plan from both sides of the team.
He also notes that hybrid care—blending telemedicine with strategic in-person visits for hands-on care and advanced imaging—often gives the best results. Telemedicine keeps athletes connected between those visits and helps verify that home programs are done correctly.
Telemedicine is powerful, but it is not the right answer for every sports injury. Both the NP and chiropractor must know when to send the athlete for an in-person urgent or emergency evaluation.
Red-flag situations that usually require in-person or ER care include:
Loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, or worsening confusion after a head injury.
Sudden weakness, loss of sensation, or difficulty walking.
Suspected fracture with major deformity, open wounds, or uncontrolled bleeding.
Chest pain, trouble breathing, or signs of a possible cardiac event.
Severe back pain with loss of bladder or bowel control.
Telemedicine visits can still play a key role in quickly identifying these signs and directing the athlete to the appropriate level of care (SportsMD Editors, 2025; Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025). SportsMD+1
Dr. Jimenez’s telemedicine model includes clear rules for switching from virtual to in-person or emergency care, as well as building hybrid plans when manual orthopedic or neurologic tests are necessary (Jimenez, n.d.-a). El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
To illustrate how this works in practice, imagine a high-level soccer player twisting an ankle during a match.
1. Same-day telemedicine triage
The athlete and parent connect by secure video after the game.
The NP and chiropractor ask about the injury, review swelling and bruising on camera, and guide weight-bearing and range-of-motion tests.
They decide the injury is likely a moderate sprain but order an X-ray at a local center to rule out a fracture.
2. Follow-up telemedicine visit with imaging
Two days later, they review the X-ray report, which shows no fracture.
The NP finalizes a medication plan if needed and screens for clots and other concerns.
The chiropractor demonstrates safe early movements and provides a simple home exercise plan.
3. Hybrid care and progressive rehab
The athlete comes to the clinic once or twice for hands-on joint work and soft-tissue care.
The rest of rehab happens by video, with the provider watching balance drills, hopping progressions, and soccer-specific cuts.
Training load increases in stages until the athlete passes functional tests and is cleared to return to play.
Along the way, telemedicine visits offer opportunities to discuss nutrition, sleep, mental focus, and long-term injury prevention—bringing together the medical and physical sides of recovery.
Telemedicine is reshaping how athletes receive care for sports injuries. When an integrative chiropractor and nurse practitioner team work together online, they can:
Deliver remote virtual examinations that capture key information.
Build collaborative treatment strategies that blend medical and musculoskeletal care.
Coordinate imaging, referrals, and hands-on visits as needed.
Guide athletes through at-home rehab, lifestyle changes, and mental-health support.
Evidence from major health systems, sports telehealth platforms, and physical therapy programs shows that telemedicine can improve access, reduce travel, and still deliver high-quality outcomes for many sports injuries (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2025; OrthoLive, 2018; Injure Free Team, 2025; SportsMD Editors, 2025; Savoie, 2025). Nully Medical LLC+4hopkinsmedicine.org+4OrthoLive+4
In real-world practice, clinicians like Dr. Alexander Jimenez demonstrate how this model works: quick telemedicine triage, clear documentation, coordinated imaging, hybrid hands-on care, and detailed virtual coaching all come together to keep athletes safer, healthier, and ready to return to the sports they love.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2025). Benefits of telemedicine. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/benefits-of-telemedicine hopkinsmedicine.org
Injure Free Team. (2025). Technology Fridays “Breaking boundaries – The power of telemedicine in sports expertise at your fingertips!” https://www.injurefree.com/blog/technology-fridays-breaking-boundaries-the-power-of-telemedicine-in-sports-expertise-at-your-fingertips InjureFree
Jimenez, A. (n.d.-a). Telemedicine injury care: Virtual assessments and follow-up. El Paso Back Clinic / DrAlexJimenez.com. https://dralexjimenez.com/telemedicine-injury-care-virtual-assessments-and-follow-up/ El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
Jimenez, A. (n.d.-b). How Dr. Alex Jimenez uses telemedicine for injury recovery. El Paso Back Clinic / DrAlexJimenez.com. https://dralexjimenez.com/how-dr-alex-jimenez-uses-telemedicine-for-injury-recovery/ El Paso, TX Doctor Of Chiropractic
OrthoLive. (2018). Five ways telehealth helps sports doctors improve their practice. https://www.ortholive.com/blog/five-ways-telehealth-helps-sports-doctors-improve-their-practice OrthoLive
Savoie, L. (2025). The power of telemedicine in athlete health care. Nully Medical. https://www.nullymedical.com/the-power-of-telemedicine-in-athlete-health-care Nully Medical LLC
Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy. (2023). Telehealth service: Telehealth physiotherapy for sports injuries. https://sportsandexercise.physio/telehealth/ sportsandexercise.physio
SportsMD Editors. (2025). The benefits of telehealth physical therapy. SportsMD. https://www.sportsmd.com/2025/01/02/the-benefits-of-telehealth-physical-therapy/ SportsMD
General Disclaimer, Licenses and Board Certifications *
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Sports Injuries Telemedicine: Convenient Recovery Options" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.
Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is multidisciplinary, focusing on musculoskeletal and physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.
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We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182
Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) in Texas & Multi-States
Multi-state Compact APRN License by Endorsement (42 States)
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified: APRN11043890 *
Colorado License #: C-APN.0105610-C-NP, Verified: C-APN.0105610-C-NP
New York License #: N25929, Verified N25929
License Verification Link: Nursys License Verifier
* Prescriptive Authority Authorized
ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
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Licenses and Board Certifications:
DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
CFMP: Certified Functional Medicine Provider
MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
MSACP: Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics
Memberships & Associations:
TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
AANP: American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Member ID: 2198960
ANA: American Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222 (District TX01)
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222
NPI: 1205907805
| Primary Taxonomy | Selected Taxonomy | State | License Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| No | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | NM | DC2182 |
| Yes | 111N00000X - Chiropractor | TX | DC5807 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | TX | 1191402 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | FL | 11043890 |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | CO | C-APN.0105610-C-NP |
| Yes | 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family | NY | N25929 |
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
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