Sports Injuries

Sports Injuries Q&A

​​​​​​What are sports injuries?

There are a variety of sports injuries that may result in neck pain, back pain, joint pain, knee pain, etc. Sports injuries are those that affect your muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, or cartilage (your musculoskeletal system). You might get injured by overtraining, jumping, cutting, starting and stopping suddenly, or falling down. Sports injuries commonly occur during contact sports.

What are the symptoms of sports injuries?

Signs and symptoms you could experience with a sports injury include:

• Sudden discomfort
• Severe pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Tenderness
• Stiffness
• Decreased range of motion
• Weakness
• Decreased mobility
• Head pain
• Dizziness

What are common sports-related injuries?

Chiropractic treatments can improve musculoskeletal functioning naturally, speed up healing, reduce tension and inflammation, diminish pain, and promote better body alignment. Common sports injuries Dr. Gailes treats at Indian Harbor Chiropractic include:

Shoulder Injuries — Often, a shoulder injury manifests pain several hours later or immediately after the aggravating incident. If you have sudden recurring shoulder pain, you may have a repetitive motion injury. Shoulder pain and injury is most frequently caused by athletic activities that involve excessive, repetitive, overhead motion (swimming, tennis, pitching, and weightlifting).

Sprains and Strains — A muscle sprain or muscle strain typically occurs in one quick motion. Resting at home and alternating hot/cold therapy can usually work, however, if the pain is consistent or recurring, you may need to give us a call. In many cases there is an underlying issue that Dr. Gailes can help address, heal, and strengthen, and sometimes laser therapy and/or chiropractive adjustment is the answer to a speedy recovery.

Runner's Knee — If you experience recurring pain in or around the kneecaps after a run, you most likely have runner's knee. We can help reduce the knee pain with specialized chiropractic techniques. We will teach you at-home pain management and preventative care with stretches and strengthening exercises. We will have you pain-free and ready to run in no time.

Soft Tissue Injuries — Most often, soft tissue injuries in athletes affect the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The most common injury types are sprains, strains, and contusions, as well as tendinitis and bursitis. Soft tissue injuries to other parts of the body are common in athletes, but they do not have to be. It's best to begin healing with rest and the RICE protocol. Then, come visit Dr. Gailes to maintain your best athletic health and performance, and find out ways to prevent further injury with sports medicine.

In addition to these types of injuries, Dr. Gailes also offers treatment for the following common conditions:

• Tennis elbow
• Golf elbow
• Hip labrum tear
• Pulled Hamstring
• Boxing Fracture
• ACL and MCL tears
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Joint dislocations
• Concussions
• Fractures
• Football Injury

How does my provider diagnose sports injuries?

To diagnose a sports-related injury, Dr. Gailes discusses your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. She completes a physical exam and may recommend undergoing X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging procedures to determine the most appropriate treatment.

What are common treatments for sports injuries?

Common treatments Dr. Gailes could recommend for sports-related injuries include:

Lifestyle changes

Things you can do at home to speed up healing include using ice or heat packs, eating nutritious foods, resting an injured part of your body, and wearing a brace, sling, or cast if needed.

Chiropractic adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments can realign your spine or other parts of the body, reduce tension, and alleviate discomfort due to sports injuries.

Spinal manipulation therapy (SMT)

Spinal manipulation is a technique where Dr. Gailes will apply a controlled thrust to a joint of the spine. This motion moves the joint more than it would on its own. SMT is actually a collection of techniques which include massage or mobilization of soft tissue, adjustment of spinal subluxations, trigger point therapy, cross-friction massage, active release therapy, and mechanical traction on an area of the spine or on an extremity.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

TENS sends electrical pulses through the skin to start your body's own painkillers. The electrical pulses can release endorphins and other substances to stop pain signals in the brain. TENS can reduce pain. Tens also works on muscles and causes muscle contractions by stimulating α-motor neurons. It is highly effective in improving muscle function, strengthening muscles, and improving joint range of motion.

Laser therapy

Dr. Gailes is currently the only chiropractor in Greenwich, CT offering Class IV Laser Therapy. Dr. Gailes uses chiropractic adjustments and laser therapy to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and speed up recovery times for all types of injuries. Laser therapy will reduce pain by over 50% in three to four treatments and can complement chiropractic adjustments or be used as an independent form of treatment.

Therapeutic massage

Massage stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal. It reduces tension, pain from pinched nerves, and discomfort caused by sports injuries.

Physical therapy

Dr. Gailes offers recommendations for strength and flexibility exercises that improve musculoskeletal functioning after a sports injury.

Specialist referrals

If you need surgery because of a severe sports-related injury, Dr. Gailes refers you to an experienced orthopedic specialist.

Begin with chiropractic care today

If you struggle with a sports injury and want fast healing and pain relief, call the Indian Harbor Chiropractic office or schedule an appointment online today.