What’s the difference between sprains and strains?

Sprains and strains are two different yet similar soft tissue injuries that can happen throughout your body. They respond well to chiropractic care.

To understand the difference between sprains and strains, you need a little background knowledge about your musculoskeletal anatomy. Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect two or more bones together at a joint, like in your knee or shoulder. Tendons are similar bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone.

A sprain happens when one of your ligaments stretches or tears. Alternatively, strains occur when the same thing happens to one of your tendons. The most common joint to sprain is the ankle while the most common strains happen in your low back or hamstring.

How do sprains and strains happen?

Sprains and strains can happen in almost any context: You can even obtain a soft tissue injury by misstepping as you walk. Commonly, sprains and strains happen during:

Sports and physical activity: Sprains and strains are among the most common sports injuries. Dr. Kelly can inform you of the most common sprains and strains in your sport of choice.

Occupations: You can pull a muscle or ligament at work, especially if you work a labor-intensive job.

Auto accidents: Soft tissue injuries often happen during the impact of a car crash. Whiplash injuries, which are soft tissue injuries in your neck, are associated with auto accidents because of the jolting motion that causes them.

Dr. Kelly evaluates your injury and takes a patient-centered approach while treating it.

How do chiropractors treat sprains and strains?

Spine Chiropractic & Rehab Centers offers evidence-based chiropractic care for sprains and strains to help them heal.

Every chiropractic care plan is tailored according to the personal needs of the patient. Your chiropractic treatment for a sprain or strain might involve:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Posture retraining
• Ice
• Heat
• Ultrasound
• Stretching
• Strengthening exercises
• Laser therapy
• Trigger point therapy

You see Dr. Kelly for regular appointments at Spine Chiropractic & Rehab Centers as you complete your personalized chiropractic care plan. Chiropractic treatments are conservative, which means they don’t involve surgery. They also minimize how much you rely on medications.

Call Spine Chiropractic & Rehab Centers or schedule a treatment consultation online for your sprain or strain today.