Imagine being outside. Maybe you’re walking or running on a nature path; or you could be doing some yard work. While this is going on, you step onto a rock and end up rolling your ankle. You stop what you’re doing, sit down, and examine your ankle to see if there’s any swelling. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong, but you know you may have a sprain/strain in your ankle.

Now, imagine the same scenario. This time, you feel pain in your back. You think about how and what may have caused your back to be in pain. It could be from carrying the ladder back to the garage; or when you were moving those heavy boxes off and on the shelves. Regardless, you are in pain, and you realize you might have strained those back muscles. 

Here at Innate Life Chiropractic, we are exceptional when it comes to sprains and strains. We help patients alleviate pain caused by sprains and strains, and any of their symptoms. Regardless if you have had it for a while, and it’s just getting worse (we call that chronic), or “I just woke up with it” (we call that acute), Dr. Nathan in Palatine has the answer and the treatment for you.

Differences Between Sprains & Strains

You may be thinking, “Hold on…there’s a difference between a sprain and a strain?” The answer is yes; sprains and strains can cause the same amount of pain, and have some similar symptoms, but there are some differences between the two.

Sprains occur when a ligament is pulled, stretched, or damaged in the affected joint; or, when a joint is in an abnormal position. Signs of a sprain include pain, bruising and swelling, stiffness and/or tenderness in the joint, and inability to use that joint. The most common sprains happen in the ankles, especially if a patient “rolls” their ankle while walking/running.

Strains, however, occur if a muscle or tendon is twisted or pulled. These can appear unexpectedly, or they can develop within a few days or weeks, making it difficult to determine the exact cause behind it. While strains, like sprains, result in pain and swelling, other symptoms to look for include any muscle spasms, cramping, and any difficulty in moving the muscle/tendon.

Both can lead to joint instability, or even disability, along with muscle weakness. If the injury is serious, or not looked at over time, patients may suffer from a muscle or ligament tear, and they may need rehabilitation for the affected joint.

What Causes Sprains/Strains

When it comes to what causes sprains and/or strains, the cases can vary. Car accidents. Falls. Sports injuries. Overexertion, or repetitive motions. Keep in mind, though, that sprains and strains are caused by different actions, and they affect different areas of the body.

Auto accidents can cause sprains and strains for all involved. A common injury associated with these cases, resulting in neck strains and sprains, is whiplash. In addition, most patients involved in auto accidents experience muscle pain and soreness, which can worsen over time if not treated.

Sports injuries are another type of cause for sprains and strains. Athletes and other active individuals are aware of their chances of being injured, of experiencing sprains and strains, due to the amount of time spent engaged in sports. Cases of a sprained ankle, or a strained muscle, are commonplace because of overexertion, falls or hits, and even poor or improper conditioning. To prevent this from happening often, active patients should remember to warm up beforehand, along with not overdoing it and lifting with their legs. Another helpful action would be to stretch before and after exercising.

In general, work and any repetitive movement/action can cause sprains and strains. A patient doesn’t have to play a sport, or get involved in an auto accident, to suffer a sprain or strain. Any repetitive motion from a job or hobby can cause a muscle strain. Falling or twisting in the wrong direction can lead to sprains and strains, as well. These injuries are unavoidable; however, there are ways to decrease the likelihood of suffering from sprains and strains.

What Are Common Areas on the Body for Sprains/Strains?

Depending on what area is affected, sprains and strains are common in certain parts of the body. The problem is, though, both conditions have similar symptoms, which can cause confusion as to what exactly the patient is dealing with.

The most common areas that are sprained are ankles, knees, wrists, and fingers. This is typically due to a fall, or if these joints are twisted suddenly. While some sprains heal with time, and ice, others may not. Remember, a sprain is associated with any trauma to a ligament; with enough stretching or tearing, the affected ligament, in addition to the affected joint, can make it almost impossible to move effectively.

In contrast, strains are typically associated with pain in the back, shoulder, and hamstring. These areas are affected by overexertion or repetitive movement. Several examples include lifting very heavy items, playing sports, work, and performing a highly intensive exercise routine. Posture does play a role in everyday activities, so patients may need to evaluate how they are sitting/ standing at work, when lifting objects, or when playing their favorite sports. 

Help for Sprain/Strains at Innate Life Chiropractic 

At Innate Life Chiropractic in Palatine, our chiropractor will perform an examination, neurospinal scans, and evaluate your posture to determine the cause of your sprain/strain. After analyzing the findings , Dr. Nathan will develop a care plan to help improve the health of your shoulder, spine, nervous system and provide you with recommendations to lower your risk for possible re-occurrences.

Tonal Chiropractic Adjustments

This approach looks at the overall tone of your nervous system. Is your body stuck in a sympathetic overdrive of “Fight or Flight” or over-exhuasted from a parasympathetic hibernation? Tonal chiropractic allows your body to find the harmony between these two extremes, while also relieving abnormal tension on the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. This allows your brain and body to be more adaptable and resilient. Digestion and elimination are both normal functions of the body, however can be interfered with when the nervous system is running “fight or flight” all the time. Dr. Nathan uses a combination of MLS, Network Spinal Analysis, Bio-Geometric Integration, and MC2 to help your nervous system shift from stress to healing.

Zone Technique

Dr. Nathan will adjust the vertebrae in the affected area to increase your range of motion and take pressure off the spinal nerves. He will focus on the imbalanced zone(s) connected to your challenge and begin care from there.  Most common zones that will affect sprain/strains are the muscular and nervous zones. 

Lifestyle Advice

With any injury, whether to the back, neck, or extremity, the last thing you want to do is exacerbate. The same idea applies to healing shoulders. Our advice is designed to help you perform everyday tasks and responsibilities safely. This may include suggestions to improve your diet, drinking plenty of water , and exercising. Dr. Nathan will prescribe home stretches and exercises based on your unique needs. At Innate Life Chiropractic, we focus on healing the root cause of sprain/strains and helping your body recover. Contact Our Palatine Chiropractor for Shoulder Pain Relief

To get started with chiropractic care for your sprain/strains, choose our Palatine, IL chiropractor today. Innate Life Chiropractic is currently accepting new patients of all ages. Call our office today. When it comes to sprain/strains, get help NOW!

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