What Are Sprains & Strains?

Sprains and strains are similar but not the same. They both refer to injuries, but a sprain is an injury to a ligament whereas a strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon.

A ligament is tissue that connects two bones or pieces of cartilage, or holds a joint together. A muscle is tissue that can contract, and thereby produce movement in the body or hold the body in a certain position. A tendon is tissue that connects a muscle to a bone.

The causes of sprains and strains are another thing the two have in common, as they are both essentially caused by the affected tissue being stretched too far.

Both sprains and strains commonly occur during sporting activity or from everyday stumbles and accidents, but they can also be caused by overuse or repetitive use of the affected area.

Symptoms of Sprains & Strains

Symptoms of Sprains and strains include pain, swelling, and bruising that are graded by severity. Grade 1 is considered a minor sprain or strain; Grade 2, moderate; and Grade 3, severe.

Some of the more severe symptoms that would require a trip to emergency room include:

• patient suspects serious injury
• a snapping or popping sound is heard when the injury occurs
• immobility of the injured area
• immediate, severe swelling around injured area
• numbness or tingling around injured area

These symptoms could be signs of a broken bone.

But even if you don’t display any of these severe symptoms, it is still wise to report any sprain or strain, however minor you may think it to be, to your doctor. This will ensure an accurate diagnosis, proper treatment, speedy recovery, and above all the prevention of any potential complications.

Chiropractic For Sprains & Strains

Chiropractic care can help treat sprains and strains by restoring normal function to the injured area. The chiropractor may also use one or more physiotherapy modalities such as ice, interferential muscle stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, and rehabilitative therapies such as stretches and exercises, which all serve to help restore stability, range of motion, and normal use as soon as possible.

A study reported in The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics found that patients receiving chiropractic care for a sprain or strain lost an average of 2.3 days less of work than patients receiving care from a medical physician (MD), and 3.8 days less work than those receiving osteopathic care, concluding: “generally, fewer workdays were lost and lower amounts of disability compensation and provider cost paid when chiropractic was included in the care pattern.” (Johnson, Schultz, Ferguson: 1982)

Common sprains and strains we see in our office include those to the neck (whiplash), back, ankle, wrist, finger, groin, hamstring, and foot.

Call us today at 773.878.7330 to schedule an examination.  We are located in Andersonville (North side of Chicago – near Lincoln Square) and we can accommodate same day appointments for sprains and strains to help you get proper treatment and a speedy recovery.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used for the diagnosis and/or treatment of a medical condition. If you have experienced an injury, we encourage you to consult with us or another qualified healthcare provider of your choice.