Too often, the words sprain and strain are used interchangeably. For instance, with slips and falls, a person may say they strained or sprained their ankle. However, they shouldn’t be using these words this way. These impact different portions of the musculoskeletal system.
And at Integrated Health & Injury Center, serving Atlanta, Decatur, and the nearby regions, we’re a search result for chiropractors in Atlanta, GA, or Decatur, GA, and are available to treat either but believe you should understand the difference.
General Information
A sprain occurs when you stretch or tear a ligament — a fibrous band of tissue that connects bones at a joint. The tear could be partial or complete.
Strains, on the other hand, affect a muscle or tendon. You should know that the tendons are cords of tissue that connect bone to muscle.
With a strain, the soft tissue is overstretched or completely torn.
Do You Have Pain?
Either a strain or sprain will cause pain. When you sustain a sprain, the pain tends to occur immediately after the injury.
While a strain can be an acute issue, it’s often from continuous use.
For example, it may occur as the result of overstretching the tendon or muscle with repetitive motions. Poor posture is another contributing factor for a strain. Sometimes, a strain comes from a traumatic injury and causes pain, particularly when you move in a certain direction suddenly.
Do You Have Muscle Spasms, Weakness, or Cramping?
Overworking your muscles or tendons or damaging them can trigger muscle spasms, cramps, and weakness. This means these symptoms only occur from a strain.
While an injury or repetitive stress may lead to these, your lifestyle could worsen them. Specifically, if you’re dehydrated frequently or have nutrient deficiencies, your risk is greater.
Do You Have Bruising?
Take a look at the site. Do you notice bruising? Bruising can occur with either a strain or a sprain, but it’s more common with a strain. In terms of a sprain, it happens most frequently in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
How Did You Get the Injury?
Sprains and strains arise for different reasons. Sprains happen most often when you’re running or turning. You could also experience one when you fall, especially if you land on your ankle when you jump or land on your hand when you fall. Other causes include a blow to a joint.
When compared to various sports, skiing ranks as one of the leading physical activities where sprains are possible. The back and hamstring muscles are the most common locations for strains. You’re more likely to suffer from a strain if you play football, hockey, boxing, wrestling, or soccer. Your chances of a strain increase if you play tennis, gymnastics, golf, or rowing. Additionally, you may strain your elbow if you participate in a throwing sport, tennis or another racquet sport, or a contact sport.
Do You Have a Loss of Muscle Function?
If you injure your muscles or tendons, you may lose your muscle function. This means a loss in muscle function can happen from a strain.
Can You Move the Joint Fully, or Are You Suffering From Joint Instability?
Ligaments stabilize a joint. When you have a full or partial tear in one, your joint might become unstable. You may struggle to move the joint.
Strains and sprains both cause pain and can affect your ability to move a body part in different ways. Based on your symptoms and possible testing, we diagnose the problem and provide you with treatments to help you heal. At the Integrated Health & Injury Center, our chiropractor in Decatur or Atlanta is here to assist, whether you suffer an injury from slips and falls or another personal injury.
Scheduling an appointment with chiropractors in Atlanta, GA, or Decatur, GA, at the Integrated Health & Injury Center is simple: We offer three convenient methods:
Phone – 404-288-9000
Email – info@integratedhealthandinjury.com
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