Does it Hurt to Get Adjusted

Sports injuries, nowadays are not just limited to professional athletes or young people who participate in school sports programs. Now, more than ever, men and women of all ages participate in regular sports and fitness activities. As a whole, most people very active in sports like golf and tennis, and/or other healthy activities like running, aerobic classes, and weight training. Regrettably, risk of injury is certainly a possibility with any sports activity.

Nearly all injuries can be broken down into two basic types: injury from trauma such as a slip, fall or collision, and injury as a consequence of overuse or repetitive stress.

Traumatic Injuries

These injuries produce the debilitating damage often associated with trauma. A high percentage of traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, but fractures and dislocations do occur at times, especially with contact sports. Trauma to a ligament is called a sprain, while trauma to a muscle or its tendon is a strain.  The most common parts of the body for these kinds of injuries are the ankles, knees, and shoulders, but other areas can be affected including the low back and neck. Injuries to the neck and low back can be very serious as the spinal cord or spinal nerves can also be affected.

Traumatic injuries can vary from a mild "muscle pull" or ankle twist to a serious problem needing surgery. The enormity of the injury depends upon several factors, such as the degree of tearing of the tissues, the region of the injury, and the age of the person. Some amount of swelling occurs with almost all sprains and strains. But, with certain injuries, especially those of the ankle and knee, there can be some internal bleeding as well. With all strains and sprains proper management is crucial, especially during the initial stages of the injury to assure complete healing and protect against future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly advisable.

If you've sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until assistance is attainable, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P    Protect injury from further damage
R    Rest the injury
I     Ice injury to reduce swelling, bleeding, muscle spasm, and pain
C    Compress injury with a specifically designed or elastic bandage to support injured tissues
E    Elevate the injury, expressly when the damage is to ankles and knees

As already mentioned, appropriate diagnosis and treatment are crucial to a total recovery. A chiropractor can determine the degree of your injury and start proper recovery treatment. When proper treatment is supplied during the various stages of healing, nearly all individuals who have experienced sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not carefully monitored and treated, a sprain or strain injury can effectuate long-standing joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. A chiropractor that is trained in the management of sports injuries can offer the proper advice and care you'll need to insure that your injury will recoverl in the best possible way. If you have sustained a traumatic injury, call your Santa Barbara chiropractor.

Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries

Sports such as golf, tennis, and bowling, as well as any other activity that demands the same actions over and over are prevalent reasons for repetitive stress injuries. An activity as uncomplex and healthy as running, particularly on a treadmill, can also be a factor.

Essentially, overuse or repetitive stress injuries happen when an individual is performs a repetitious activity that creates a very small strain to tissues, especially tendons and muscles, that alone would not cause a problem, but performed many times has an accumulative effect.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most widespread kinds of overuse injuries. Eventually the muscle or other affected tissue undergoes changes that no longer let it to function properly, resulting in pain, stiffness and disability. There are two categories of factors that predispose a person to these types of problems:  1) Intrinsic, i.e., found within a person's own body, and 2) Extrinsic, i.e., external factors that can generally be changed or controlled by the person.

Some of the most widespread intrinsic factors for injury

Age is the mostwell-established intrinsic factor for injury. The older a person is, the easier it is for that man or woman to get injured. Congenital abnormalities are another factor. A number of people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, ultimately, previous injuries are a factor as they generally prohibit the joints or muscles from functioning correctly.

Extrinsic factors for injury

There are plenty of extrinsic injury factors.  An inappropriate grip size of a tennis racket, worn-out running shoes, an uneven treadmill surface, or a too-hard surface for soccer are all examples of insufficient sports equipment that can create problems. Incorrect technique in any sport, such as an incorrect golf grip is, as the saying goes, an injury waiting to happen Another factor is poor conditioning. Quite a few individuals are injured because they are out of shape. Increased frequency or lengthly duration of an activity, without developing slowly, can cause the circumstances for injury. Insufficient flexibility can produce injury if an individual is too stiff to do an activity safely. Lack of warm-up, like stretching and appropriate preparation, is a common factor in injuries.  And, finally, and maybe surprising to some, stress is a factor. Muscles that are tense and inflexible due to stress are too tight and, therefore, unprepared for most sports activities.

It is very helpful to remember that almost all factors are extrinsic and, consequently, they are factors that can be individually managed. Before embarking on a new sport, or as a way to ward off injury in a current sport, it's smart to get an assessment of your general body condition. If you've been injured, it is crucial to seek out a qualified professional, like a chiropractor, to diagnose the nature of the injury and design a plan of therapy. If left untreated, sports injuries can greatly affect a person's life and limit a favorite activity. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is often needed to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is a good source of help. Call a chiropractor if you're either thinking of beginning a new activity, you're feeling pain related to a current sports activity, or you've sustained a sports injury. Your Santa Barbara Chiropractor has years of experience helping people just like you.

A finger gets jammed when it receives a direct blow on the end of the finger, essentially smashing all of the joints together. The result can be a painful injury that swells and limits the mobility of your finger. As with any injury, if you suspect at all that it might be fractured, it is best to get to a doctor as soon as possible so the finger can be properly set. If however, the injury appears to be minor and you are content to treat it at home, here are some steps that you can take to alleviate some of the discomfort.

The most important thing you can do for any sports injury is to get some ice on it. Ice helps to reduce the swelling as well as numb the pain. When you apply ice, apply it in 20 minute sessions over the course of the day. The ice will constrict the blood vessels and keep the blood from collecting around the injured area. As the blood flow decreases, the swelling goes down and the pressure is relieved.

Further pain relief can be found in over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. They help to manage the inflammation that is a result of the swelling and also help to reduce pain. If you feel that these over the counter pain killers are not strong enough to help you manage the pain, then you probably need to see a doctor for your injury.

The ability to immobilize the injured finger will allow it to heal a little faster and will also help to prevent you from injuring it further. You have the ability to purchase various types of finger splints for a relatively low cost at the majority of pharmacies. They are typically made of an aluminum shank that is padded on one side with foam rubber. Becayse the flexibilty of aluminum can be shaped to fit over the most comforting shape of your finger. Once you have created a splint that comfortably fits you, it is best to have somebody assist you to tape it on securely utilzing athletic tape. You should find that the immobility lessens the pain considerably as well.

If after a few days the swelling does not go down and the pain persists, then you should probably see a doctor. Any injury that involves a fracture or ligament damage should not be left untreated. If your body is left to heal itself, but doesn't get things aligned properly, then you may have limited mobility or functionality of that finger for the rest of your life. If you feel like something isn't right, it probably isn't. Go to a doctor so they can take x-rays and find out for sure.

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Shin Splints

There are many types of injuries that happen to athletes due to repetitive motion and over use. Running is often incorporated as part of a conditioning program, or as a sport on its own, and a common injury from running is shin splints. Sharp pain on the outside edge of the shin is the most common symptom. This type of injury can be as mild as a minor annoyance, or prove to be serious enough to stop any kind of activity that involves running.

Rest, ice and elevation are the best treatments for shin splints. The ice will reduce any inflammation and the elevation of the limb will reduce swelling and fluid build up. In this case, the body can be left to heal itself and rest is most often the best medicine. As an additional measure, you can take ibuprofen to help alleviate the pain.

Perhaps the best treatment for shin splints is prevention. There are a number of exercises that you can do which will strengthen the calf and muscles surrounding your shin. Calf raises, lunges, and a wide range of weight exercises on a power sled will help to build a solid muscle mass around your shin and calf. This increase in strength and stability will enhance your body's ability to take some abuse and greatly decreases the possibility that the shin splints will be a recurring injury.

If, after several weeks of rest, ice, and elevation you are still experiencing sharp pain when you try to run, it may be time to see a doctor. There is another overuse injury that has similar symptoms, but which may require additional treatment. Stress fractures are painful, and typically require a much longer recovery time. If you allow your shin splint to go unchecked, they can often be the pre-cursor to a stress fracture, so don't let them linger without some kind of treatment.

You may also find some temporary pain relief by stretching well. It can be difficult to find a good stretch to use that you feel is working the front of your lower leg, but by stretching the quadriceps (the front of your thigh), then you are also relieving a lot of the tightness in your shin. The muscles are all connected by tendons and when the quad relaxes, so does everything that is tied to it. You can easily stretch you quads by grabbing one foot and pulling it up behind you. If you have a hard time balancing on one foot, stand next to a wall and use your free hand to balance yourself. You can make the stretch even more efficient for a shin splint by pulling back your toes as you have your leg bent behind you.

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Massage Therapy for Sprains

Keeping in mind that the best advice for a major injury is always given by your doctor, there are several steps that you can take in order to alleviate the pain and aid in the healing process of a mild ankle sprain.

This kinds of injury normally occurs whenever a persons ankle is rolled to far in one direction or the other and the persons tendons as well as their ligaments which provide support and keep it upright are stretched too far. The result is a painful injury that can lead to swelling and immobility. As with any injury, you should immediately ice the ankle. The ice constricts the blood vessels in the affected area, thus restricting blood flow. This restriction in blood flow help to control the swelling. The ice also helps to numb the pain. You should continue to ice the injury for 20 minutes several times a day.

Of course, for minor discomfort you can take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen to relieve some of the stiffness caused by inflammation. If your condition doesn't improve over a few days and the injury is causing enough pain that it prevents you from walking, you may have to go see a doctor for x-rays. More pain is a clear sign that something isn't right and you will need a professional's opinion.

While your tendons as well as your ligaments function to repair as well as strengthen themselves, you might look to take it easy for a period of time. Because they have been over stretched beyond their normal capability, they will not be as strong and the likelyhood that you might injure yourself again is increased when your body is regaining its strength. You can help your body recover by giving the injured ankle some additional support. You can by supportive ankle braces over the counter at many pharmacies or sporting goods stores. These fit tightly over the foot and ankle and offer some support to supplement the natural strength of your ankle, which may be diminished because of the injury. While it is ok to use these supports during the recovery phase, you may want to consult a doctor about prolonged use, as your body can grow to depend on the brace for support and never truly regain its own strength.

There is nothing wrong with trying to treat your injury at home. However, if you have already tried using ice and ibuprofen and you are still experiencing pain or having problems walking, then you should get to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. There are other problems, such as torn ligaments, tendons or small fractures that could also be the result of your injury and the only way you will know this is by having a professional assess the situation.

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What is a Pulled muscle

One of the most common injuries to athletes is the pulled muscle. When a muscle group is over-stretched it can become sore and result in a loss of mobility. There may also be minor swelling or bruising. Small tears in the muscle fiber are also a result of a pulled muscle. When those tears bleed, you start to see the bruise beneath the skin at the site of the soreness.

As with most sports injuries, ice is the best medicine. This will reduce any inflammation that you may have and will also reduce the pain. You can also take ibuprofen to further reduce inflammation and help manage the pain.

The only thing that can cure a pulled muscle is time. If you were to travel to a clinic made for sports clinic. One of the wisest things that you can do is to not do anything during the time that the muscle tissue is healing and to be certain that you do not over exert it either.

At the point that you are able to continue with your activity, at all time you need to be certain that you set aside the time to do some stretching well as well as warming up in the proper way. Too much exertion on muscles that are cold is frequently the reason of the pull in the first place. If you attempt to make a set of muscles to work hard while not allowing it the right amount of time to establish the right amount of blood flow, you are sure to be asking for trouble.

You may find that wrapping the affected area with an elastic bandage helps keep it warm and loose, thus preventing the possibility of further damage. These wraps are available at many local pharmacies and sporting goods retailers.

A pulled muscle might not be serious, however if you do not see any kind of improvement in a few days it is best to seek professional help. There are cases where the muscle does tear away from the bone and begin to curl back up on itself. Needless to say, this can be a very painful condition and you would know right away if this were the case. As with any injury, if you feel that something is wrong and you think you might have a severely torn muscle, by all means go see a doctor. A severely torn muscle can require surgery to repair and the longer you wait the worse it will get.

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Massage Therapy for Sprains

Keeping in mind that the best advice for a major injury is always given by your doctor, there are several steps that you can take in order to alleviate the pain and aid in the healing process of a mild ankle sprain.

This kinds of injury normally occurs whenever a persons ankle is rolled to far in one direction or the other and the persons tendons as well as their ligaments which provide support and keep it upright are stretched too far. The result is a painful injury that can lead to swelling and immobility. As with any injury, you should immediately ice the ankle. The ice constricts the blood vessels in the affected area, thus restricting blood flow. This restriction in blood flow help to control the swelling. The ice help to numb the pain as well. You should continue to ice the injury for 20 minutes several times a day.

Of course, for minor discomfort you can take an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen to relieve some of the stiffness caused by inflammation. If your condition doesn't improve over a few days and the injury is causing enough pain that it prevents you from walking, you may have to go see a doctor for x-rays. More pain is a clear sign that something isn't right and you will need a professional's opinion.

While your tendons as well as your ligaments function to repair as well as strengthen themselves, you might look to take it easy for a period of time. Since they have been stretched past their normal capacity, they will be weaker and the probability that you could injure yourself again is higher during the time when your body is rebuilding its strength. One of the ways to assist your body to have a quicker recovery is to give the injured ankle some added support. You can by supportive ankle braces over the counter at many pharmacies or sporting goods stores. These fit tightly over the foot and ankle and offer some support to supplement the natural strength of your ankle, which may be diminished because of the injury. While it is ok to use these supports during the recovery phase, you may want to consult a doctor about prolonged use, as your body can grow to depend on the brace for support and never truly regain its own strength.

There is nothing wrong with trying to treat your injury at home. However, if you have already tried using ice and ibuprofen and you are still experiencing pain or having problems walking, then you should get to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. There are other problems, such as torn ligaments, tendons or small fractures that could also be the result of your injury and the only way you will know this is by having a professional assess the situation.

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What is a Pulled muscle

A pulled muscle is one of the most common injuries that athletes suffer. It is caused when a muscle group is over-stretched and it results in soreness and sometimes a loss of mobility. Minor swelling can occur and sometimes even a bruise. The bruise is created because the pull can result in small tears in the muscle fiber. If those tears bleed a little bit, then you may see some bruising over the sore area.

A pulled muscle is no different than any other sports injury in that ice is the best medicine for treating the injured area. Applying ice will help to reduce swelling and any pain you may be experiencing.

The only thing that can cure a pulled muscle is time. If you were to go to a sports medicine clinic they may be able to provide you with some treatments that will speed up the healing process, but there is no magic fix. The best thing you can do is to take it easy while the muscle tissue heals itself and make sure that you don't over exert it.

When you are able to resume activity, always make sure that you take the time to stretch well and to warm up properly. Over-exerting cold muscles is often the cause of the pull in the first place. If you attempt to make a set of muscles to work hard while not allowing it the right amount of time to establish the right amount of blood flow, you are sure to be asking for trouble.

You may find that wrapping the affected area with an elastic bandage helps keep it warm and loose, thus preventing the possibility of further damage. These wraps are available at many local pharmacies and sporting goods retailers.

If, after a period of time, you see no improvement then you may want to seek treatment at a sports medicine facility. If you have underestimated the extent of your injury, then you may have something more substantial than a pulled muscle and you may have actually torn it. The result is that the muscle tears free from the bone and can curl back up on it self. This is extremely painful and it is unlikely that it could happen without you knowing it, but prolonged pain is probably something that you should get checked out. A severely torn muscle can require surgery to repair and the longer you wait the worse it will get.

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A finger gets jammed when it receives a direct blow on the end of the finger, essentially smashing all of the joints together. The result can be a painful injury that swells and limits the mobility of your finger. As with any injury, if you suspect at all that it might be fractured, it is best to get to a doctor as soon as possible so the finger can be properly set. If however, the injury appears to be minor and you are content to treat it at home, here are some steps that you can take to alleviate some of the discomfort.

The first and most important thing that you can do with any sports injury is to get ice on it. This will help to reduce the swelling and will also help to numb the pain. Icing should done in 20 minute increments several times a day. The ice constricts the blood vessels surrounding the injured area and thus reduces the blood flow around the injury. This is what reduces and prevents the swelling.

Further pain relief can be found in over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. They help to manage the inflammation that is a result of the swelling and also help to reduce pain. If you feel that these over the counter pain killers are not strong enough to help you manage the pain, then you probably need to see a doctor for your injury.

The ability to immobilize the injured finger will allow it to heal a little faster and will also help to prevent you from injuring it further. You have the ability to purchase various types of finger splints for a relatively low cost at the majority of pharmacies. They are typically made of an aluminum shank that is padded on one side with foam rubber. Becayse the flexibilty of aluminum can be shaped to fit over the most comforting shape of your finger. Once you have created a splint that comfortably fits you, it is best to have somebody assist you to tape it on securely utilzing athletic tape. You should find that the immobility lessens the pain considerably as well.

Broken bones are difficult to diagnose without the help of an x-ray. If the swelling in your finger doesn't go down in a few days and the pain is still there, you may need to go see a doctor. Broken bones should not go untreated. To leave them to heal on their own could result in irreparable damage. At the very least, the finger could heal crooked, at its worst, the bone could heal so badly that you completely lose all mobility in that digit and it might have to be re-broken and set all over again.

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Shin Splints

There are many types of injuries that happen to athletes due to repetitive motion and over use. Running is often incorporated as part of a conditioning program, or as a sport on its own, and a common injury from running is shin splints. Sharp pain on the outside edge of the shin is the most common symptom. This type of injury can be as mild as a minor annoyance, or prove to be serious enough to stop any kind of activity that involves running.

The best treatment is ice, rest and elevation. Keep it iced to reduce inflammation and keep it elevated to help reduce swelling and fluid build up. As with any other injury, the body is best left to heal itself, and rest is often the best medicine. You may also utilize ibuprofen to help manage the pain.

Perhaps the best treatment for shin splints is prevention. There are a number of exercises that you can do which will strengthen the calf and muscles surrounding your shin. Calf raises, lunges, and a wide range of weight exercises on a power sled will help to build a solid muscle mass around your shin and calf. This increase in strength and stability will enhance your body's ability to take some abuse and greatly decreases the possibility that the shin splints will be a recurring injury.

If, after several weeks of rest, ice, and elevation you are still experiencing sharp pain when you try to run, it may be time to see a doctor. There is another overuse injury that has similar symptoms, but which may require additional treatment. Stress fractures are painful, and typically require a much longer recovery time. If you allow your shin splint to go unchecked, they can often be the pre-cursor to a stress fracture, so don't let them linger without some kind of treatment.

Stretching can also provide some temporary relief. Finding a good stretch that works the lower front part of your leg might be difficult. However, by stretching the quadriceps (the front of the thigh) you also relieve a lot of the tension in your shin. By grabbing one foot and pulling it up behind you, you can give your quad a good stretch. When the quad is stretched it tightens all the connecting tendons and the muscles attached to those tendons; as the quads relax, so does the rest of the leg, including the shin. You can make the stretch even more efficient for a shin splint by pulling back your toes as you have your leg bent behind you.

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