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| For Questions Call/Text Dr. Jimenez Personally @ 915-540-8444 or Contact Us @ 915-850-0900 |
As an athlete, we often strive to warm up and stretch our
bodies properly as well as exercise enough to strengthen the muscles, maintain
flexibility, and improve stamina. However, injuries can often be unpredictable.
Sprains and strains are two commonly diagnosed conditions among athletes which
result after a musculoskeletal injury. Similar in name, the two conditions are
frequently confused but sprains and strains greatly differ from one another.
A sprain is medically defined as a stretch or tear of the
ligaments, the strong cords of fibrous tissue which connect two bones together
at the joints. Sprains most commonly occur on areas of the body which can be
injured during a fall or sudden twisting motion, such as the ankle. According
to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, approximately 2 million ankle sprains
alone occur each year. An incorrect fall or abrupt twist usually causes a
sprain because the unusual movement can force a joint into an abnormal position
that may wind up stretching or tearing the ligament. Ankles, wrists, knees, and
fingers are all frequently sprained areas of the body.
A strain is medically
defined as a stretch or tear of the muscle or tendon. A tendon is a fibrous
band of tissue that connects the muscles to bones. Strains most commonly occur
on the lower back and on the hamstring muscle located on the posterior side of
the thigh, most commonly as a result of overexertion, trauma, or repetitive
movements. Strains most frequently occur on the back, hamstring, and even the
shoulder, because these areas are greatly mobile and highly used during strenuous
physical activity, leading to a stretch or tear of a single, or multiple,
muscle and tendon due to overuse.
Although sprains and strains significantly differ from each
other, these do share several similarities, which is the main reason
individuals generally confuse the two conditions.
Both sprains and strains include symptoms of pain, swelling,
and limited mobility around the region of the injury. The symptoms can range
from moderate to intense, according to the injury’s level of severity.
Individual’s who’ve suffered an injury and are experiencing these symptoms can
temporarily relieve their pain and discomfort using ice therapy to reduce the
inflammation around the affected area as well as getting plenty of rest and
elevation.
Sprains and strains can both benefit from chiropractic
treatment. A chiropractor specializes on the spine but they also specialize in
many musculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractic care helps speed up the healing
process of an injury and can increase the strength of certain areas surrounding
the site of the injury to prevent future damage or injury. These conditions can
alter an individual’s lifestyle and it’s important to seek immediate medical
attention for any possible sprains or strains.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
