As an chiropractor, I like answering the questions I receive from my patients. A common inquiry is "what is the difference between a sprain and a strain?" Sprains and strains are injuries to the musculoskeletal system that are commonly diagnosed conditions, and are two separate issues people frequently mix up. I will attempt to explain away some of the confusion today. Let's look at three ways sprains and strains differ from each other. 1. Sprains and strains afflict different parts of the body. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIH), a sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament which provides joint stability. A strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon in the area where it is turning into a muscle. 2. Sprains and strains are most often caused from different actions. Falling or twisting the wrong way typically causes a sprain, because the movement forces a joint into an awkward position and ends up stretching or tearing the ligament. Twisting an ankle, falling down the stairs, or trying to catch yourself on an icy walkway are all ways to end up with a sprain. A strain often results from overexertion or trauma, and repetitive movement. Lifting an item that is too heavy, jumping into an exercise routine that is too strenuous, or performing repetitive movements in either a sport or work are ways an individual can end up suffering from a strain. 3. Sprains and strains generally affect different areas of the body. Sprains occur at parts of the body that are injured when falling or suddenly twisting. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, ankle sprains alone number around 2 million each year. Ankles, wrists, knees, and fingers are all areas that are frequently sprained. Strains, on the other hand, commonly occur in the back, shoulder, or hamstring, as both of these areas are affected by overexertion or repetitive movement. Although sprains and strains are different injuries, they do have some similarities. This is most likely why people get them mixed up. Let's discuss a few commonalities of sprains and strains. Both share common symptoms. Both injuries can bring on pain, swelling, and limited movement at the injury site. The pain can be moderate or intense, depending on the severity of the injury. Sprains and strains both benefit from ice packs, rest, and elevation. They can require surgery. Most diagnosed strains and sprains heal on their own with time, but a serious tear can require surgery to repair. With both injuries, it's important to visit a doctor if an individual experiences severe pain and swelling, and decreased mobility. Both can benefit from chiropractic care. Chiropractors can work wonders on the neck and back, but chiropractic care can assist in lessening the impact of a strain or sprain injury, too. The benefits of seeing a chiropractor for both sprains and sprains are twofold. Chiropractic treatments promote healing of the injured area as well as help strengthen the areas around the injury to decrease the chance of future injuries. Sprains and strains can sideline individuals from their activities, no matter if they are athletes or regular guys doing yard work. It's vital to take steps to avoid sprains and strains in the first place. Always properly stretch and avoid overexertion to prevent strains. Take pains to clear walkways and stairways to avoid falls or sudden twisting movements to decrease the risk of sprains. If you end up with a strain or sprain, contact the office for a consultation. I have extensive experience in working with patients suffering from sprains and strains. Running is one of Americans' favorite forms of exercise. The reasons for its popularity are simple; it can be done almost anywhere, takes no special equipment, and burns lots of calories. Running also offers many health benefits such as weight control, decreased blood pressure and cholesterol, and relief from stress. Everything with running is fabulous, right up until the time you hear a snap, crack, or pop. The downside of all the wonderful benefits is that running causes its share of injuries to the body. The Ohio State Chiropractic Association presents an alarming statistic that two-thirds of runners will be injured in some way. Tendonitis, shin splints, ankle sprains, hip pain, and knee strains are a few of the many injuries brought on or exacerbated by a regular running routine. What is a runner to do? It's important to take common sense precautions to not get injured in the first place. Purchasing high quality shoes and respecting the body's limits are two excellent choices. Another great choice is committing to chiropractic care. Regular runners can reap many positive results from visiting a chiropractor. Three big benefits chiropractic care offers for runners are the following: Increased Range of Motion Loose and relaxed joints allow for greater flexibility and movement, all of which benefit a runner's gait and time. A study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found evidence that a chiropractic treatment regimen increased mobility in the hips over time. While chiropractic care does not guarantee an individual will experience an increase in speed, unrestricted joints and better range of motion will definitely help a person move more freely and stand a better chance of avoiding running injuries. Decreased Healing Time for Injuries Unfortunately, runners frequently deal with injuries, some of which take weeks or months to heal. For dedicated runners, a serious injury is terrible news. The first action for runners after they have been injured is to stop running so it can heal. Most runners do not want to risk losing the stamina that interrupting their routine brings on. Chiropractors can work with runners who have injured themselves from the repetitive motion of running regularly. By using chiropractic adjustments, chiropractors can promote healing in the body as a whole. Runners love this because they want to get back to hoofing it as quickly as possible. Minimized Instances of Becoming Injured A spine out of alignment can cause other parts of the body to be weaker and more susceptible to injury. One part of the body compensating for another that is off kilter is one common way runners end up hurt. Chiropractic treatment helps to keep the spine in alignment, which can have a ripple effect through the body. Regular adjustments can reduce the negative impact the jarring motion of running has on a person's body, and help avoid running-relating injuries on the front end. Running is a popular exercise routine for many, and yields a multitude of positive results to a person's health and well-being. By taking proper steps to minimize the chance of injury, runners can enjoy the good points running brings to the table and steer clear of the bad. Chiropractic care can be an effective part of making certain your body is in prime running condition and resistant to injury. If a person ends up dealing with an injury, chiropractic treatment may be able to boost healing time. Ready! Set! Go! If you are a runner and would like to talk further about the benefits chiropractic care offers you, contact us today for a consultation. As a college wrestler, I didn't understand what was taking place on my body during our long grueling seasons. Early in my career I was noticing my body getting physically burnt out as the season progressed. It wasn't until my parents encouraged me to see a chiropractor that it all changed. I compared the chiropractic adjustment to hitting the reset button on my body. After a long week of intense practices, I would go to my chiropractor and walk out feeling like a new man. At the time I didn't completely comprehend what was taking place during the adjustments, I just knew I felt great and was ready to perform at my best over the weekend. It wasn't just a physical edge, but a mental edge as well. Whether athletes want to admit it or not, the smallest aches and pains can get in your head during competition. If you don't trust your body to perform at it's best, you begin to lose confidence. That's a huge mental burden, especially at the highest level where the slightest margin separates the average athletes from the elite athletes. Getting regular chiropractic adjustments allows our nervous system to function properly without interference. Even a minor misalignment or restriction in the spine can cause interference with the messages being sent through our nervous system. Since proper nerve impulses control and direct things like balance, strength, coordination and speed, the effects on an athlete's performance can be significant. Only when your brain and nervous system are able to effectively and freely communicate with the rest of the body, can athletes reach their full potential. This also plays a critical role in speeding up recovery from injuries. As we all know, sports can be very hard on our bodies and injuries are a part of it. It is important at all ages, but especially at a young age as you're still growing, to heal properly and quickly from injuries. Chiropractic care can help speed up the recovery as well as allow your body to heal properly from injuries ranging from ankle sprains, separated shoulders, low back pain, and any other soft tissue or joint problem. Athletes have been benefiting from chiropractic care for many years, however it is only recently that it seems to be getting a lot of attention as virtually every professional sports team has a chiropractor. Even individual athletes are publicly praising chiropractic for their success as you can see in the links I've attached below. I always enjoy treating athletes as they are very in-tune to their bodies and understand how proper training, nutrition and recovery are all key to being successful. See your chiropractor today and find out how you can get the EDGE on the competition! |
AuthorDr. Andy Johnson Categories
All
Archives
June 2018
|