My Approach to Sports Medicine
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​​I have spent a career focused on optimizing both the physical and mental health of the most elite ‘tactical athletes’ and the most decorated Olympic athletes in the world.  Over ten years ago, I was a pioneer in the military's use of platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment and other ultrasound-guided injections and introduced these therapies in US Special Operations units where they have become standard treatments.

I utilize this extensive experience and my procedural skills to provide cutting edge, non-operative orthopedic care for active people who want to stay active. 

My focus includes promoting prevention and the value of recovery, sleep, nutrition, alcohol moderation, and other healthy choices on overall wellness. 

What is "Non-operative Orthopedics?" 

Many musculoskeletal conditions can be treated effectively without surgery.  PRP is just one example of injection therapies which uses platelets from your own body to help heal injuries.  By drawing your blood and concentrating it in a special centrifuge, we can then inject it into damaged tissue using ultrasound guidance.  This precision therapy optimizes your body's own ability to heal.  

How Can I Help You Maximize Your Health and Function? 

I use evidence-based medicine to harness your body's own healing properties to repair injuries, acute or chronic.  This is typically done in close collaboration with rehabilitation specialists. 
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Medicine is a team sport! 

I am a primary care sports medicine specialist, which requires fellowship training and specialty certification.  My goal is to help you find the root of your problems and address that rather than just treat your symptoms. 

Giving Back: Volunteer Contributions

​I have served as a USA Swimming National Team Physician for over ten years, with experience at multiple international events including the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo where the team topped all nations in overall medals. 
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I began my United States Olympic and Paralympic volunteer work at the Warrior Games in 2010 , which is a premier competition for our nation's wounded warriors. 

Citius-Altius-Fortius        Faster-Higher-Stronger

Mental Health Advocate

I strongly recommend watching HBO's The Weight of Gold for a better appreciation of this issue

I continue to advocate for increased emphasis on mental wellness in elite sports and for access to practical resources to support athletes who need help.

I have published recommendations in the medical literature for best practices to address PTSD in elite athletes. 
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                    Read the full text article below​

Concussion Management

Advanced Neuroimaging
and Biomarkers

In 2011, I was involved in creating a partnership between the US Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg and UNC Chapel Hill to study the effects of blast and blunt trauma on the brain.  This ongoing collaboration has produced award-winning research which has been presented in multiple national forums and international medical journals. 

Sport-related Concussion and Military Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Through years of collaborative research with the Gfeller Center at UNC Chapel Hill, we have discovered valuable insight into the diagnosis and treatment of brain injury in sports and the military. 
We are discovering effects of concussion over time and learning how best to detect and treat brain injuries. 

Return to Sport
​Following Concussion

In the evolving world of concussion in sport, expertise in complex concussion management in athletes is critical.  I have years of experience in sideline assessments and return to sport decisions. 
My sports medicine colleagues and I have created protocols for unique situations from a "return-to-shoot" to a "return-to-swim" protocol.  
PUBLICATIONS IN PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
  • Roby PR, DeCicco JP, Chandran A, Barczak-Scarboro NE, DeLellis SM, Ford CB, Healy ML, Means GE, Kane SF, Lynch JL, & Mihalik JP.  Neurovascular coupling in Special Operations Forces combat Soldiers. Ann Biomed Eng 2020 (In Review).
  • Barczak-Scarboro NE, Cole WR, DeLellis SM, Means GE, Kane SF, Lynch JH, & Mihalik JP. Mental health symptoms are associated with mild traumatic brain injury history in active Special Operations Forces (SOF) combat and combat support soldiers. Mil Med 2020 (Published online,  https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaa167).
  • DeCicco JP, Combs PR, DeLellis SM, Healy ML, Kane SF, Lynch JH, Means GE, & Mihalik JP.  The relationship between neurovascular coupling, vision and sensory performance, and concussion history in Special Operations Forces combat soldiers, Clin Neuropsychol 2020:34;1215-1225. 
  • Powell JR, Boltz AJ, DeCicco JP, Chandran A, DeLellis SM, Healy ML, Kane SF, Lynch JH, Means GE, Hackney AC, & Mihalik JP.  Neuroinflammatory biomarkers associated with mild traumatic brain injury history in Special Operations Forces combat soldiers. J Head Trauma Rehab 2020;35(5):300-307.
  • Roby PR, Chandran A, Barczak-Scarboro NE, DeLellis SM, Ford CB, Healy ML, Means GE, Kane SF, Lynch JH, & Mihalik JP.  Cerebrovascular reactivity in Special Operations Forces combat soldiers. Ann Biomed Eng 2020 (Published online, DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02514-z).

INVITED PRESENTATIONS 
  • Concussion and the Pupillary Light Reflex: Implications for Special Operations Forces Personnel.  Vander Vegt CB, Ford CB, Register-Mihalik JK, DeLellis SM, Healy ML, Kane SF, Lynch JH, Means GE, & Mihalik JP.  American College of Sports Medicine Meeting, Orlando, FL 2019.
  • Mild Traumatic Brain Injury History Predicts Relationship Between Reduced Grey Matter Volume and Visual-Sensory Performance in Special Operations Forces Personnel.  Ford CB, Cools MJ, DeLellis SM, Healy ML, Lutz RH, Kane SF, Lynch JH & Mihalik JP.  Military Health System Research Symposium (MHSRS), Kissimmee, FL 2018.
  •  Combat Role Predicts Cortical Thickness, Visual and Sensory Performance, and Cognition in Special Operations Forces Personnel.  Mihalik JP, Ford CB, Cools MJ, DeLellis SM, Healy ML, Lutz RH, Kane SF, & Lynch JH.  Military Health System Research Symposium, Kissimmee, FL 2018.
  •  Monitoring Operator Health and Readiness:  A Military Academic Partnership.  Kane SF, Lynch JH, Mihalik JP.  American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN 2018.
  •  Concussion History Moderates Relationships between Neural and Clinical Outcomes in Special Operations Forces Personnel.  Ford CB, Cools MJ, DeLellis SM, Kane SF, Lutz RH, Lynch JH, & Mihalik JP.  American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN 2018.
  •  Concussion History Predicts Reduced Cortical Thickness in Special Operations Forces Personnel. Mihalik JP, Ford CB, Cools MJ, DeLellis SM, Kane SF, Lutz RH, & Lynch JH.  American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN 2018.

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What Patients Are Saying

​"“Simply the best.”

"Dr. Lynch possesses a rare combination of expert knowledge and exceptional bedside manner. He is simply the best physician I have encountered at articulating complex medical situations in a clear and understandable way. He takes the time to make sure you understand the diagnosis and are comfortable with the clinical plan. He goes out of his way to follow-up and ensure your medical needs are met. There is simply no physician I would trust more to take care of me and my family."

David T.          12/02/2020