How Can Chiropractors Assist With Relief From Sports Injuries?

Sports injuries, today are not just limited to professional athletes or boys who participate in school sports programs. Now, more than ever, men and women of all ages are involved in regular sports and fitness activities. The vast majority of both sexes play golf, tennis, basketball, and/or participate in aerobic activities like running. Regardless of the activity, however, there is constantly the risk of injury.

Most of injuries fall into two categories: 1) traumatic injury, such as a slip, fall, or collision and, 2) repetitive stress or overuse injury.

Traumatic Injuries

These injuries cause the debilitating problems often associated with trauma. Nearly all traumatic injuries are to the ligaments, the tissue that connects bone to bone, and to body muscles, although fractures and dislocations do happen at times, particularly with contact sports. Trauma to a ligament is called a sprain, while an injury to a muscle or its tendon is a strain.  The most frequent places for these types 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 involved.

Traumatic injuries can range from a mild “muscle pull” or ankle twist to a serious problem requiring surgery. It is contingent upon the amount of tearing of the tissues, the location, and the age of the person. Almost all sprains and strains are related to some degree of swelling and frequently with internal bleeding, especially with injury to the ankles and knees. Strains and sprains require proper attention, particularly during the initial stages of an injury, to guarantee complete healing and guard against future disability. Attention from a competent health-care professional, such as your Santa Barbara chiropractor, is highly expedient.

If you’ve sustained an injury, the best course of action is to see a professional. Until aid is attainable, remember the acronym, PRICE:
P    Protect injury to avoid additional damage
R    Rest the injury
I     Ice injury to lessen 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

Naturally it is important to get the injury properly evaluated by a chiropractor, or other competent health professional, to find out the degree of damage. When appropriate management is given during the various stages of healing, most persons who have experienced sprain and strain injuries will recover. If not cared for carefully, some sprains and strains can result in long-lasting problems such as joint instability, painful or weak joints and muscles, and lack of mobility. Experienced management of your sports injury by a chiropractor with years of experience in sports injury management will insure that your injury heals properly. Call your Santa Barbara chiropractor if you have sustained a traumatic injury.

Overuse or Repetitive Strain Injuries

Sports such as golf, tennis, and bowling, as well as any other activity that requires the same actions over and over are widespread causes of repetitive stress injuries. Even running, particularly on a treadmill, can produce such afflictions.

Essentially, overuse or repetitive stress injuries come about when a person is involved in a repetitious activity that produces a very small strain to tissues, particularly tendons and muscles, that in and of itself would not generate a problem, but performed many times has an accumulative effect.  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is one of the most common kinds of overuse injuries. The pain, stiffness, and disability associated with carpal tunnel problems takes place over a period of time as the muscles and other affected tissue establish changes that no longer allow normal function. Certain factors predispose a person to these sorts of injury. A few are “intrinsic,” meaning the factor is found within a person’s own body. Other factors are “extrinsic,” which means that the factors are external and can frequently be changed or controlled by the person.

Some of the most common 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. Some people are born with joint or muscle problems. And, ultimately, previous injuries are a factor as they often keep the joints or muscles from functioning normally.

Extrinsic factors for injury

There are plenty of extrinsic injury factors.  For instance, sports equipment can deficient–an improper grip size of tennis racket or worn-out running shoes are clear examples, even a playing surface can be a factor, such as a too-hard surface for soccer or an uneven treadmill. Incorrect technique in any sport, such as an unsuitable golf grip is, as they say, an injury waiting to happen A further factor is poor conditioning. Some people are injured because they are out of shape. Increased frequency or extended duration of an activity, without building up slowly, can produce the circumstances for injury. Insufficient flexibility can create injury if a person is too stiff to do an activity properly. Warming up is essential before sports activities and not warming up, that is, not stretching or preparing for an activity is a widespread cause of injury.  And, finally, but perhaps surprising to some, stress is a factor. Being tired or stressed can cause tense, inflexible muscles that are too tight for most activities.

It is very helpful to remember that almost all factors are extrinsic and, consequently, they are factors that can be individually regulated. However, most people need assessment by a qualified health care professional to establish their overall body health, the severity of injury, and the answer to the problem. If left untreated, an injury will not only prohibit an individual from participating in a favorite activity, but can significantly affect someone’s life in general. Treatment such as joint manipulation, massage, bracing, and specific exercises is generally required to stabilize the condition. A chiropractor is and excellent 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.

Carpal Tunnel Pain and Chiropractic Therapies

Introduction

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome falls into the category of neurological conditions referred to as nerve entrapment disorders and is easily the most prevalent of these disorders. As the term “nerve entrapment” suggests, these disorders happen when a nerve is trapped or compressed between body tissues creating inflammation and impairment of the nerve.

Anatomy

The carpal tunnel is positioned in the underside of the wrist and is a passageway in which the median nerve travels through on its way to innervate the hand and fingers. In addition to the median nerve, the carpal tunnel is comprised of the nine tendons of the forearm muscles that are responsible for bending and flexing of the fingers and thumb. There are also arteries and lymphatic vessels that furnish circulation to the hand located within the tunnel. Wrist bones form the bottom and sides of the tunnel, while the top is shaped by the transverse carpal ligament, a powerful band of connective tissue. The diameter of the carpal tunnel is about the same as the index finger making the carpal tunnel a densely-packed space. The flexor tendons, arteries and median nerve are expected to glide without friction past each other during wrist and finger movement.

If the size of the tendon enlarges due to irritation or overuse, or if the carpal tunnel size dimenishes due to  a misalignment of the carpal bones, the median nerve can become squeezed or entrapped by the carpal tunnel. In the beginning, carpal tunnel symptoms often include, pain, numbness, pins and needles, and tinging in the fingers and hand, particularly the thumb and adjacent two fingers.  The symptoms are markedly apparent at night, often awakening the sufferer from sleep and making it necessary for the person to “shake out” or rub the hands in an attempt to relieve the unpleasant sensations.  The hands can also feel inept, weak and fatigue easily with activity. Eventually, holding small objects using the thumb and fingers can be seriously affected and, without treatment, can result in complete debilitation of the hand.

Some accepted causes and associated conditions are:

• repetitive and forceful grasping with the hands

• prolonged computer usage especially with poor wrist position

• activities that require repetitive bending of the wrist

• broken or dislocated bones in the wrist which produce swelling

• arthritis, especially the rheumatoid type

• thyroid gland imbalance

• sugar diabetes

• hormonal changes associated with menopause or pregnancy

Though any of the causes and conditions listed can be instrumental in contributing to the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, often the actual root cannot be found. However, people who perform jobs that require use of vibration tools and machinery, and/or work in extreme temperatures are often subjected to this condition.  Even household activities as simple as repetitive wringing clothes by hand can help cause this syndrome. However, the continuing increase in computer use is the most compelling explanation for the number of individuals who are suffering with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome today. The repetitive motions of typing on the keyboard and moving the mouse over extended periods of time is a primary indicator for many people with CTS.

Treatment

Competent diagnosis and treatment is vital to relieving the painful and debilitating symptoms of CTS. Your Ventura Chiropractor is highly skilled in the diagnosis and managment of CTS. Chiropractors are well-trained in treating CTS.  In addition to chiropractic adjustments of the wrist joints, treatment by chiropractor may include inflammation reduction therapy such as ultrasound or low level laser. Electromusclestim can often help to strengthen the weak muscles of the forearm and soft tissue massage is effective in stretching contracted tissues. Your chiropractor may suggest that you wear a splint or support, especially at night, to aid in the decompression of the carpal tunnel. Your Ventura Chiropractor will also give you specific exercises to stretch and/or strengthen muscles of the forearm and hand.