Overuse injuries occur slowly over time as tissue is subjected to ongoing, repetitive demand. The majority of instances are minor traumas to the soft tissues, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or combinations thereof. It is a much more gradual process than acute injuries such as spraining your ankle, but while they may lack the dramatic flair of acute injuries, they can cause equivalent levels of pain and impairment.
Overuse injuries involve any physical activity that has you go through the same physical motions over and over again for a protracted period of time. This can include repetitive assembly line work, the ever-present modern bane of typing on a keyboard, and sports-induced strains. Johns Hopkins notes a recent rise in sports injuries among young people, corresponding to an equivalent rise in their involvement with organized recreational sports like football.
How Do You Heal an Overuse Injury?
The first thing on the list is R.I.C.E., which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Beyond that, an array of therapies and treatments exist, the use of which depends on the nature of the individual case.
Common methodologies employed often include therapeutic exercises such as stretching and strength training, as well as a wide variety of manual therapies. While some extreme cases might seem to suggest surgery, noninvasive approaches can often provide the same levels of success without the complications of surgery and recovery.
Every case, like every person, is unique. It follows that any treatment should be custom-tailored to the person and their particular injury. A proper diagnosis is thus an important first step. Once the precise nature of the problem is determined, the development of a comprehensive and effective treatment plan can begin.
Can a Chiropractor Help with Muscle Strain?
While a sprain is a situation where ligaments have been stretched or torn, a strain is the stretching or tearing of the muscles or tendons. Chiropractic care enhances the healing process and reduces pain in the following ways:
- Improving blood flow: by increasing the blood flow to the area of injury, it can transport more oxygen and essential nutrients to the site, promoting more rapid healing and recovery.
- Reducing inflammation: Treatments frequently reduce inflammation, which often contributes to further muscle damage and slowed healing.
- Enhances Healing: Adjustments correcting spinal misalignment relieve pressure on the surrounding muscles, removing stress on the tissue that impedes the healing process.
Can a Chiropractor Help Get Rid of Inflammation?
Yes, but not with chiropractic adjustments. This article from the Arthritis Foundation explains that adjustments for inflamed joints should be “off limits” but that there are several other treatments a chiropractor can provide to treat inflammation. Those treatments include:
- Ultrasound
- Low-level laser (a.k.a. cold laser therapy)
- Electrotherapy
- Infrared sauna
Total Chiropractic Care Will Help You Stay Active
An active lifestyle is the way to go, but sometimes you can go a bit too far. If you are suffering from an overuse injury from work or sports, Total Chiropractic Care can hasten your recovery using our holistic approach. Our wellness team will work with you to develop a treatment regime specifically tailored to your individual case. Don’t let your work or play be impeded, contact us today!
[…] Repetitive motion or overuse. […]