Sports injuries are prevalent. If you've ever played competitive sports for an extended period and have not been injured, you are in the minority.
Whether you're a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, a sports injury can be devastating, and getting back into game shape becomes your number one priority.
That's why injuries that seem to linger on forever can be extremely frustrating. You want to start playing again immediately, not wait another 6-8 weeks.
That's why visiting a chiropractor can be game-changing.
Getting your injury assessed and treated by a chiropractor can help get you back on your feet a little faster and help prevent future injuries.
In the article below, we will look at seven of the most common sports injuries, and what chiropractic care can do to help.
Table Of Contents
- Sprains and Strains
- Knee Injuries
- Muscle Swelling
- Achilles Tendon Injuries
- Shin Splints
- Dislocations
- Fractures
- How A Chiropractor Can Help
Sprains and Strains
Sprains occur when ligaments are stretched too far or torn.
Your bones are connected by ligaments, so sprains and strains occur in the joints. Most people experience strains in their ankles or wrists.
Painful swelling and bruising typically accompany sprains and strains, and for a while, you might not be able to move the joint at all.
A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is torn.
Tendons connect muscles to bones, and if they get pulled too far, a stain occurs.
The most common strains occur in the back or hamstrings.
Painful swelling and spasms accompany most sprains, along with the inability to move the muscle.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are one of the most common injuries among athletes.
Runners get what is known as runner's knee, which is a tenderness near the knee cap.
You can also experience pain on either side of your knee, as well as tendinitis.
More severe knee injuries can occur with bruising to the bone or damage to cartilage and ligaments.
Your knee has four major ligaments that support it, and any of them can be damaged playing sports.
Knee injuries frequently occur due to the lack of a warm-up, running too hard or too often, or blows and twists to your knee.
Muscle Swelling
When certain muscles swell, they fill a tough membrane called the fascia. The fascia does not expand, so nerves and blood vessels are put under pressure, and the muscle itself may suffer damage.
This painful condition is called compartment syndrome.
Compartment syndrome occurs in response to a one-time injury to the muscle, after repeated blows in certain sports like boxing, or due to overuse.
Achilles Tendon Injuries
Your achilles tendon extends from the calf muscle down to your heel.
It is commonly stretched or torn during regular sports activities, often due to overuse and when proper stretching isn't included in your training routine.
Achilles tendon injuries are relatively serious and have been known to end many athletes seasons.
Shin Splints
Shin splints refer to pain along your shin bone, or tibia, which is the bone on the front of the lower leg.
Shin splints are frequently experienced by runners.
Shin splints are another injury that is often due to the lack of a warm-up or inadequate stretching.
They also occur due to overuse, playing on hard surfaces, or wearing unsupportive shoes.
If you have flat feet, you are more likely to suffer from shin splints.
Dislocations
Contact sports and high impact sports often result in dislocations, which is when bones that form a joint become separated.
If a joint is dislocated, you will feel intense pain, and you may also experience nerve damage due to the dislocation.
After a dislocation, the joint will have to be put back into place.
Sometimes that is just as painful as the actual injury, and you might need to wear a sling or brace for several weeks until the swelling goes down.
Rehab is often recommended after dislocations, especially shoulder dislocations.
Rehab can restore the strength and range of motion of the injured joint.
Fractures
A bone can break due to a one-time injury or from repeated stress over time.
A one-time injury is an acute fracture that requires emergency treatment. A stress fracture, on the other hand, occurs with repetitive impact.
The pain in a stress fracture gets worse when the athlete puts all of their weight on the fractured area.
How A Chiropractor Can Help
No matter what your coach, teammates, or the fans tell you, it isn't in your best interest to play through injury.
If you meet any of the following conditions, you should seek immediate medical attention:
- There is severe pain, swelling, or numbness
- You are unable to put weight on the injury
- You have increased pain, swelling, and instability in a previously injured area.
A chiropractor can help if you are experiencing the conditions above.
A sports massage can alleviate pain and swelling due to injury. They can also optimize your performance by stimulating healthy blood flow and warming up the muscles.
Hydromassage is another kind of chiropractic therapy that can promote and enhance your athletic health.
And the bread and butter chiropractic treatment, spinal adjustments, will make sure everything in your body is aligned and properly working together, which is critical for athletes.
Regular visits to your chiropractor can reduce the risk of injury and improve your performance at the same time.
If you're ready to see a chiropractor, reach out to the Advanced Injury Care Clinic today.
They have years of experience helping athletes just like you, and they are ready to get you back in the game.
