Soft Tissue Strain: A Common Type of Sports Injury
Whenever you push a muscle group beyond its normal capacity, you run the risk of developing soft tissue strain. In addition to muscle fiber tears, you may also develop tears and inflammation in your tendons, a condition known as tendonitis. You don't have to suffer an acute injury to sustain such an injury; repetitive overuse of a body part may cause tiny tears in tissues that never get a chance to repair themselves fully, producing chronic inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Examples include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Runner's knee
- Plantar fasciitis
- Golfer's elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Rotator cuff strain
Damage to the fascia, a membrane of connective tissue that runs throughout the body, often accompanies muscle strain, adding to your pain and immobility.
Benefits of Stretch Therapy
Gentle stretches can help you rehabilitate a soft tissue sports injury even as Dr. Casey Phillips also addresses joint alignment errors that might be related to your condition. Exercises that direct blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the injured tissues without over-stressing them. We can also prescribe stretches to help you warm up an old injury or even keep future sports injuries from developing.
Fascial stretch therapy has become a popular form of care for injuries involving the fascia. In this form of assisted stretch therapy, Dr. Phillips puts the injured body part through specific motions as you lie comfortably on a treatment table. These exercises loosen and relax the fascia. This therapeutic technique can improve your balance, strength coordination, and range of motion.
Schedule an Appointment!
Stretch therapy makes an ideal complement to chiropractic adjustments for anyone seeking to get over (or prevent) soft tissue sports injuries. Contact our chiropractic team to learn more at (412) 321-3213.
