Ed Kornoelje DO
Sports Medicine | Osteopathic Physician

University of Michigan Health-West

Many people think sports medicine is only for competitive athletes. Who actually benefits from seeing a sports medicine physician?
Everyone. While we work with teams like the Griffins and Rise, what we learn there applies to anyone who wants to keep moving. Movement supports both mental and physical health, and that’s ultimately our focus. Honestly, we could call ourselves “active person physicians.”

How do you define taking care of your body for someone who wants to stay healthy but isn’t training or competing?
Even without an event on the calendar, your body still benefits from consistency. Act like you’re training for something. Be active most days of the week, vary intensity, and mix in cross-training for balance and variety. Your body responds to regular care, not just peak moments.

As a DO, how does your approach differ from traditional care?
DOs are trained in hands-on manual medicine and whole-person care, with attention to how the mind and body interact. There’s also a strong focus on the musculoskeletal system, which is especially valuable in sports medicine and movement-based care.

What are the most common issues people ignore or learn to live with that they probably shouldn’t?
Injuries that partially heal but never fully resolve. Things like ankle sprains or muscle strains often improve enough to function, but lingering pain or instability remains. If something hasn’t truly improved after a few weeks, it’s worth getting evaluated.

Do people need to be injured to come in, or can sports medicine help with prevention and long-term movement health?
Not at all. One of my favorite visits is an annual check-in when nothing is wrong. It’s a great opportunity to talk about goals, review labs, and address things proactively. For example, ferritin levels are often overlooked and can be very important for active people.

How do you decide when someone needs imaging or formal treatment versus reassurance and a plan?
We use shared decision-making. Goals, level of limitation, upcoming plans, and patient preferences all matter. Often there are several reasonable options, and we talk through them together to decide what makes the most sense.

What role does movement quality play in pain, stiffness, and recurring issues?
Movement is essential. I like the phrase “motion is lotion.” Muscles, joints, tendons, the heart, and even the brain function better when they’re used. Daily movement is one of the most powerful tools we have.

How important is early evaluation when something feels off, even if someone can still function day to day?
Earlier is better. If something affects your normal activities, try 3–5 days of rest or modified movement. If it resolves, great. If not, that’s the right time to get a diagnosis and a plan rather than pushing through uncertainty.

What should people know about access and appointment availability?
Access matters. If you call the sports medicine hotline at 616-252-7778, one of our sports medicine physicians can typically see you the same or next day. We don’t want access to be a barrier to staying healthy and active.

What advice would you give to someone who wants a more thoughtful, whole-body approach to their health?
First, deciding to take care of yourself is the hardest step, so that’s a win already. I recommend starting with a visit, an annual physical works well, where you can talk through exercise, injury prevention, labs, and supplements. After nearly three decades working with active patients, I truly believe sports medicine physicians are uniquely trained to help people take charge of their health, whether that means small adjustments or big changes.

If you want to find a physician to help with medical or musculoskeletal issues, we can help. Sports Medicine at University of Michigan Health-West has seven Primary Care Sports Medicine Physicians all over West Michigan. Being trained in family practice as well as sports medicine means we can treat any and all medical issues, take care of injuries, and serve as your primary care physician.

For a list of physicians, services, and locations give them a call at 616-252-7778 or visit www.uofmhealthwest.org/services/sports-medicine.