Bumrungrad Advances Comprehensive Sports Medicine and Joint Center Under the “Ready for Every Move, Naturally” Concept, Responding to the Rapid Growth of Active Lifestyles Across the Asia-Pacific Region

Bumrungrad International Hospital, a global leader in healthcare, hosted the “Ready for Every Move, Naturally” press conference to announce the enhanced capabilities of its Bumrungrad Sports Medicine & Joint Center under the theme “Move Better, Play Stronger, Live Fuller.” The Center provides comprehensive care for individuals with active lifestyles, covering every stage of the care journey—from readiness assessment and injury prevention to targeted treatment, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. This initiative responds to the rapidly growing Active Lifestyle trend across the Asia-Pacific region.

Artirat Charukitpipat, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Bumrungrad International Hospital, said, “As more people engage in sports and exercise, whether through marathon running, tennis, golf, or HYROX, the risk of sports-related injuries is no longer limited to professional athletes. It can affect anyone who leads an active lifestyle. Statistics show that more than 3.5 million sports-related injuries occur each year in the United States (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine), while the Asia-Pacific region has recorded an 18% annual increase in the incidence of sports injuries (Source: Asia-Pacific Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023).

To address this growing need, Bumrungrad International Hospital has enhanced its Sports Medicine & Joint Center by integrating multidisciplinary expertise with advanced medical technology to provide comprehensive sports medicine care, enabling people to move, play sports, and live their lives safely and sustainably.”

This commitment is reflected in Bumrungrad International Hospital’s recognition by Newsweek as one of the Best Specialized Hospitals Asia Pacific 2026 in Orthopedics, marking its fourth consecutive year of recognition. Bumrungrad ranked 31st among 75 hospitals across the Asia-Pacific region and No. 1 in Thailand. In addition, the Hospital was named among Asia’s Top Private Hospitals and Clinics 2026 for Knee Surgery and Knee Replacement, Hip Surgery and Hip Replacement, and Shoulder Surgery for the second consecutive year, achieving the No. 1 ranking among the Top 100 hospitals and clinics across Asia.

Wichan Kanchanatawan, MD, Chief of Sports Medicine & Joint Center and Orthopedic Surgeon Specialist in Sports Injuries at Bumrungrad International Hospital, said, “Most exercise-related injuries are not caused by accidents, but by repetitive use, muscle imbalances, or improper movement patterns. Our multidisciplinary team is committed to identifying the root cause of each condition rather than simply treating the symptoms, enabling patients to achieve a full and sustainable recovery.”

Another key concept underpinning the Center’s approach is Joint Preservation, which focuses on preserving and restoring the patient’s natural joints for as long as possible, slowing joint degeneration and reducing the likelihood of joint replacement surgery in the future. Treatment options include rehabilitation, muscle strengthening, and specialized surgical interventions when necessary, such as High Tibial Osteotomy (HTO)—a procedure that realigns the tibia to redistribute weight away from the damaged area of the knee, helping to prolong the lifespan of the natural joint. The Center also provides treatment for shoulder pain using arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique that promotes faster recovery.

Pratya Jaratjitwilai, MD, Orthopedics Surgeon Specialist in Sports Medicine & Shoulder Surgery at Bumrungrad International Hospital, said, “Being free from pain does not necessarily mean a person is ready to return to sport. We use the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) to assess movement patterns and identify underlying weaknesses before they lead to injury. FMS also serves as an objective tool for monitoring recovery throughout the Return to Play process.”

Bumrungrad’s Return to Play program is delivered through close collaboration with its team of physical therapists, who play a vital role in restoring patients’ strength, balance, and movement control at every stage of recovery. From the early post-treatment phase through to sport-specific readiness, the rehabilitation process is tailored to prepare patients to safely return to their desired level of activity. The goal is not only to relieve pain, but also to enable patients to return to sport with confidence, reduce the risk of re-injury, and, where possible, achieve an even higher level of performance than before.

Wisit Chanprasertpinyo, MD, General Cardiology, Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology at Bumrungrad International Hospital, said, “The heart is the body’s engine. Engaging in vigorous exercise without knowing whether your heart is fit for the level of activity can be life-threatening. Conditions such as cardiac arrhythmias and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are among the leading causes of sudden cardiac arrest during exercise. When detected at an early stage, these conditions can be effectively managed through appropriate treatment planning and risk reduction.”

Cardiac Readiness assessment is recommended for individuals with busy lifestyles, those returning to exercise after a prolonged break, people planning to participate in sports more seriously, and individuals with underlying medical conditions such as hypertension or diabetes, or a family history of heart disease. In addition, VO2 Max testing enables physicians to develop personalized exercise programs tailored to each individual’s needs, including the appropriate type of exercise, intensity, frequency, and duration, helping to optimize both performance and safety.

Suwanna Suwannaphong, MD, Program Director of VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, said, “Optimizing physical performance is not achieved through training alone. It also requires internal balance, including cellular health, nutritional status, hormone levels, and overall metabolism. These factors all play an important role in influencing energy levels, endurance, recovery, and sleep quality.”

“A key strength of the Bumrungrad Sports Medicine & Joint Center is its close collaboration with the VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, integrating expertise in sports medicine, preventive medicine, nutrition, and scientific wellness into a comprehensive approach to care. This includes assessments of micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, and hormone levels, as well as body composition analysis, to develop precise, personalized care plans. Our goal is to help individuals exercise safely, recover effectively, and achieve their full potential for long-term health and well-being,” Suwanna added.

According to The Lancet (2025), Thailand has the highest burden of injury in ASEAN in terms of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost. This highlights the significant hidden health burden associated with inadequate physical readiness, particularly severe injuries that require medical treatment or surgery, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and shoulder surgery, both of which are substantially more costly than preventive care. Assessing physical readiness and addressing potential risk factors early can therefore help reduce the likelihood of injury while serving as a cost-effective long-term investment in health.

“Our ultimate goal is to empower everyone—from professional athletes to recreational sports enthusiasts—to better understand their own bodies, so they can return to movement, sports, and everyday life with confidence, safety, and sustainability,” Artirat concluded.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the Bumrungrad Sports Medicine & Joint Center, located on 20th Floor, Counter D, Building A (Clinic), Bumrungrad International Hospital, at +66 2 011 3194, +66 2 011 3082, or the Contact Center at +66 2 066 8888 or 1378