Intermountain Healthcare is providing specialized orthopedic, rehabilitative, and physiological assessment services through its sports medicine facilities in Cedar City and Park and City. The clinics offer a variety of non-surgical treatments for injuries, advanced medical massage therapies, and data-driven health assessments designed to optimize athletic performance and manage chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Non-Surgical Orthopedic Care in Cedar City
The Cedar City Clinic – Sports Medicine, led by Dr. Nathaniel Nye, specializes in non-surgical orthopedic care for athletes and individuals experiencing musculoskeletal pain. The facility focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions such as fractures, sprains, and arthritis through evidence-based therapies intended to restore function without surgical intervention.
According to the clinic, the department utilizes high-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound technology via a GE Logiq P9 system. This equipment allows clinicians to perform real-time, radiation-free imaging of joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. This diagnostic capability often serves as a radiation-free alternative to an MRI by providing immediate results during a patient's visit.
Beyond diagnostics, the Cedar City clinic provides various ultrasound-guided injection therapies for pain relief and healing. These minimally invasive procedures include cortisone injections for inflammation, Platelet-Richment Plasma (PRP) therapy to accelerate tissue healing, and dextrose prolotherapy to strengthen weakened ligaments and tendons. The clinic also offers hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis and nerve hydrodissection to address chronic nerve entrapments.
Medical Massage Therapies in Park City
The Sports Medicine & Performance Center in Park City provides specialized medical massage therapy as a tool for pain management and injury recovery. The department offers over 80 types of massage, with specific modalities such as deep tissue massage designed to relieve tension in the connective tissue or fascia, and myofascial release therapy which manipulates the fascia that connects muscles and organs.
Therapists at the Park City center utilize techniques like cupping to break up scar tissue and stretch fascial tissues, which can aid in better range of motion for athletes. Additionally, manual lymphatic drainage is available to promote the healthy flow of lymph, a service particularly beneficial for patients managing lymphedema, post-surgical swelling, or chronic venous insufficiency.
Specialized massage services also include oncology massage, which requires a licensed therapist with specific education in cancer care, and prenatal massage designed to reduce musculoskeletal strain during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. For athletes, sports and athletic massage is used before and after events to prepare for performance, reduce swelling, and prevent injury through techniques like joint mobilization and cross-fiber friction.
Advanced Physiological Health Assessments
The Park City facility also conducts advanced health assessments to determine physical fitness levels and create personalized wellness plans. These assessments include Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) analysis, which measures how many calories the body burns while resting to help patients manage weight through nutrition.
A more intensive Lifestyle Medicine Health Assessment is available for $800. This 2.5-hour session includes a comprehensive lab panel—requiring blood work the day before the appointment—a wellness profile questionnaire, and a functional fitness test measuring flexibility, muscle strength, and heart health. The assessment concludes with a consultation from a Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN) to develop a personalized 'game plan' for health improvement.
Body Composition and Oxygen Testing
Other specialized testing at the Park City center includes Body Composition Analysis using InBody technology. This non-intrusive method uses bioelectrical impedance to measure body density, weight, and volume, allowing patients to calculate their body fat percentage. The test is a 30-minute procedure where the patient stands barefoot on the machine.
For endurance-focused training, the center offers VO2 Max testing performed on a treadmill. This test measures the amount of oxygen the body uses during exercise, providing data that exercise physiologists use to design effective training programs. The test lasts between 8 and 14 minutes and involves monitoring heart rate and oxygen intake via a mouthpiece and nose clip.
To ensure accuracy in these assessments, the clinic mandates specific preparation protocols. For RMR and VO2 Max tests, patients are instructed not to exercise for 12 hours prior, avoid caffeine, smoking, or herbal remedies on the day of the test, and refrain from eating or drinking anything except water for at least four hours before the appointment.
Comprehensive Wellness Support
The various departments across these locations are HSA/FSA eligible, providing accessible options for managing acute injuries, chronic pain, and long-term athletic conditioning. Whether treating traumatic edema from sports injuries or providing post-operative care through lymphatic drainage, the centers aim to provide targeted, evidence-based medical interventions.
