18805 W. Catawba Ave. Suite 101

Cornelius, NC 28031 US

(704) 987-5050

Open mobile navigation

August Newsletter: Chiropractic Care for Overuse Injuries

Man has elbow pain after overuse sports injury.

Sprains, Strains, and Other Pains: Chiropractic Care Offers an Excellent Options for Overuse Injuries

Feeling a little sore after a weekend of sports or yardwork? You may have an overuse injury, one of the many conditions that can be improved with a visit to the chiropractor.

What Are Overuse Injuries?

Overuse injuries affect the ligaments, tendons, soft issues, muscles, joints, and bones. The injuries can occur anywhere, but most often cause pain in the back, shoulders, elbows, hips, legs, knees, feet, and heels.

Overuse injuries can occur if you:

  • Use Repetitive Motions, Whether You're Painting the House or Hitting a Golf or Tennis Ball
  • Train Too Long, Too Often, or Too Intensely
  • Use Incorrect Form or Technique
  • Have Poor Posture
  • Wear Shoes That Don't Provide Adequate Support and Cushioning for Your Feet
  • Run or Work Out on Hard Surfaces

Common overuse injuries include:

  • Tennis Elbow
  • Golf Elbow
  • Little League Elbow
  • Runner's or Jumper's Knee
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
  • Shin Splints
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Achilles Tendonitis
  • Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Shoulder Impingement or Instability
  • Sprained Ankles, Knees, and Wrists
  • Strained Muscles
  • Hip, Elbow, Knee, and Kneecap Bursitis
  • Stress Fractures in the Leg and Foot

Treating Overuse Injuries with Spinal Manipulation

You're much more likely to experience an overuse injury if the vertebrae in your spine are misaligned. Misalignments affect your entire body, causing imbalances that leave muscles and tissues too tight or too weak and prone to injuries. In some cases, tight muscles and tissues press on nerves, causing or worsening pain.

Have you ever felt a tug in your shoulder, arm, or upper back muscles when you swung a baseball bat or reached up to trim a tall hedge? That pulling sensation was a warning sign that your muscles were too tight. If you ignored the signals from your body, you might have ended up with a painful muscle strain or a rotator cuff injury.

Spinal manipulation, the most well-know chiropractic treatment, realigns the vertebrae in your spine. Realigning the vertebrae decreases pain, allows the muscles and soft tissues to relax, and promotes healing by improving blood flow.

The treatment is quick and pain-free. Your chiropractor uses quick hands-on movements or an activator device to improve the alignment of your spine and joints. Regular visits to the chiropractic prevent misalignments and can help you avoid new injuries.

Manipulation also eases inflammation, a key factor in pain and stiffness. Although inflammation is helpful in the early stages of injuries, tissues may remain inflamed long after an injury. Chronic inflammation can delay healing and cause pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion.

Massage Relieves Pain and Enhances Flexibility

Your chiropractic treatment plan may include massage, a therapeutic technique that's helped people heal for thousands of years. Massage reduces tension in muscles and soft tissues that can cause pain.

Scar tissue produced by your body to help heal your injury can decrease your flexibility. Massage breaks apart scar tissue, improving your ability to move your joints easily. Natural painkillers released by your body during your massage could even reduce your reliance on prescription or over-the-counter medication.

Scientists at Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering explored the healing power of massage in a recent research study. Their experiment involved massaging injured leg muscles in mice with a custom-designed robotic system. Massage quickly removed neutrophils and cytokines, cells that cause inflammation. Mice that received massage therapy recovered more quickly and had stronger leg muscles than those that didn't receive treatments.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound may be part of your therapy plan after an overuse injury. Sounds waves warm deep tissues, relieve pain, relax muscles and soft tissues, reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and promote healing. Increasing blood flows makes it easier for nutrients and cells that heal the body naturally to reach the injured areas. The therapy is helpful for sprains, muscles spasms, strains, tendinitis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other overuse injuries.

According to a systematic review published in the Internal Medicine Review, the use of ultrasound for the treatment of soft tissue injuries is supported by scientific evidence and improves injury outcomes.

Are you struggling with an overuse injury? Chiropractic care can speed your recovery and reduce your pain. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

The Harvard Gazette: Massage Helps Injured Muscles Heal Faster and Stronger, 10/6/2021

https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/10/massage-helps-injured-muscles-heal-faster-and-stronger/

NCBI: Internal Medicine Review: Low Intensity Ultrasound for Promoting Soft Tissue Healing: A Systematic Review of the Literature and Medical Technology, 2/2016

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6128661/

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: Sports Injuries, 7/27/2020

https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries

Palmer College of Chiropractic: Why Do Athletes Often Rely on Chiropractic Care?, 7/8/2022

https://www.palmer.edu/palmer-blog/why-do-athletes-often-rely-on-chiropractic-care/

Exclusive Offer

New Patients Receive a Free Consultation

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Holistic Healing Chiropractic Hours

Monday:

By Appointment

Tuesday:

By Appointment

Wednesday:

By Appointment

Thursday:

By Appointment

Friday:

Closed

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Very professional and personal care. Takes the time to explain in detail your condition. Focuses on long term success and behaviour changes rather than short term fixes."
    Noah K
  • "Dr. Gary is absolutely WONDERFUL! My whole experience here has been just perfect. I feel that he truly cares if I get better or not, and I look forward to my appointments. If you're looking for an AMAZING chiropractor, this is the place you want to visit!"
    Suzie B
  • "Dr Gary is the best! He is very knowledgeable and knows what he is doing. I highly recommend anyone to seek him for help."
    Krystal D
  • "Dr. Draper knows the body; not only physically, but mentally as well. He's got machines throughout the office that can help treat both the body and the brain. He cares about each patients' wellbeing, and takes a practical approach to finding the root cause of whatever might be ailing you. Highly recommended!"
    David W
  • "Eileen M recommends Holistic Healing Chiropractic.
    I can not say enough positive things about Dr. Gary, the inviting office atmosphere and friendly staff. Dr. Gary treats everyone with professional care, excellent service and a caring heart."
    Eileen M.
  • "He is the greatest doctor ever had! He goes above and beyond with my whole family, kids and dog. If it weren't for Dr. Gary I would not be able to work or live! We love the office and the staff!"
    Carolyn Oliver
  • "I have two herniated discs in my lower back. Because of my spinal decompression, I am much better and I don't think I will need back surgery."
    Mary W.
  • "I have three bulging disc's in my lower back, one of which is pressing against a nerve. Due to being in so much pain I have put a lot more pressure and such on my right foot as well. Doctors have given me medication that doesn't touch the pain, but Dr. Draper and Dr. Gary as most of his patients lovingly call him will reduce my pain level more than half in one visit. I can't Recommend this place enough."
    April Plexico
  • "Dr. Gary is a very knowledgeable and very caring person. He gives you 100 percent of his attention. So glad that we found him."
    Barbara Rourke Chappell
  • "Dr. Gary Draper and staff are OUTSTANDING!!"
    Erin Murray
  • "Friendly and knowledgeable staff with a welcoming atmosphere. The facilities are beautiful, and the hydrotherapy table is fantastic!"
    Courtney Stahl Stachowski
  • "very personalized, wonderful bedside manor, actually takes time to listen, I left feeling taller and was able to walk without pain."
    Meegan Clemons​
  • "5 stars"
    JR Rivas​
  • "Very caring and get results kind of a doctor. If you are looking for a quality docotr... schedule your appointment today!"
    Celia Ringstad
  • "Dr. Gary Draper is such a great doctor with cutting edge therapies. His knowledge and caring, positive attitude is unmatched! He has helped me with back issues, vertigo, and feet issues. He has helped athletic boys with all kinds of issues! I highly recommend Dr. Gary and Pierce Family Chiropractic for your whole family!"
    Elizabeth Gwyn Jones​

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Sign up for more articles