Nearly all of injuries can be put into two classifications: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.

Traumatic Injuries

As the name implies, this type of injury produces the sort of incapacitation and debilitation most commonly associated with trauma. As a rule injuries to the ligaments (the tissue that connects bone to bone) and to muscles are the most commonplace, although the trauma of fractures and dislocations frequently occurs in contact sports. Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, while damage to a muscle or its tendon is a strain. The most common parts of the body for these sorts of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, nevertheless other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be quite serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be affected.

Traumatic injuries can range from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem necessitating surgery. It all depends upon the severity of tearing of the tissues, the location, and the age of the person. Some amount of swelling happens with almost all sprains and strains. But, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. With all strains and sprains appropriate management is vital, especially during the initial stages of the injury to assure proper healing and avoid future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly recommended.

Listed below is an acronym for the post-injury management of sprains and strains expressly if no professional aid is available: PRICE
P    Protect injury from additional damage
R    Rest the injured area
I     Ice injury to reduce swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, especially when dealing with ankles and knees

As formerly mentioned, knowledgeable evaluation and management are vital to a thorough recovery. A chiropractor can find out the extent of your injury and begin needed recovery treatment. Nearly all of these injuries can recover, but they do require proper care during the various stages of healing. If not treated attentively, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Experienced management of your sports injury by a chiropractor with years of experience in sports injury care will insure that your injury recovers properly. Call your Santa Barbara Chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.

Repetitive Stress, or Overuse, Injuries

These injuries are becoming more and more common, expressly among people pursuing sports such as golf, tennis, bowling, and any other activity that requires the same movement over and over (repetitively). Something as simple and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.

Repetitious activity can generally produce a very slight strain to tissues, especially tendons and muscles. Nevertheless, it is the accumulative effects of the repetition that produces the more serious problem.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most frequent kinds of overuse injuries. Over time the muscle or other affected tissue establishes changes that no longer permit it to function normally, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two categories of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems:  1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person’s own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can frequently be changed or controlled by the individual.

Some of the most prevalent intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostgeneral intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that man or woman to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. There are those who are born with joint or muscle problems. And, lastly, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning correctly.

Extrinsic factors for injury

Extrinsic factors are plentiful.  A wrong grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all examples of deficient sports equipment that can produce problems. Inept technique in any sport, such as an incorrect golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen Another factor is poor conditioning. A number of people are injured because they aren’t in shape. Added frequency or extended duration of an activity, without developing slowly, can produce the conditions for injury. Lack of flexibility can cause injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity safely. Lack of warm-up, like stretching and appropriate preparation, is a prevalent factor in injuries.  And, lastly, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible due to stress are too tight and, as such, unprepared for most sports activities.

There are a number of factors that are extrinsic and, hence, within a person’s control. Before embarking on a new sport, or as a way to avoid injury in a current sport, it’s a good idea to get an evaluation of your current body condition. If you’ve been injured, it is extremely to seek out a experienced professional, like a chiropractor, to determine the nature of the injury and design a plan of treatment. If left untreated, sports injuries can considerably affect a person’s life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often required to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent source of help. Call a chiropractor if you’re either thinking of beginning a new activity, you’re feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you’ve sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.

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