Sports Injuries

Sports injuries like ankle sprains and fractures can affect your mobility and performance on the court or playing field. At his Brentwood, California, practice, experienced chiropractor Michael Sheps, DC, provides complete care for sports injuries. Rather than simply masking symptoms, Dr. Sheps treats sports injuries at their source, relieving pain and promoting healing so that you can return to your routine. Call the Los Angeles area office today to schedule sports injury treatment, or book your appointment online.

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries are caused by physical activities like running, lifting weights, and playing sports. They damage hard and/or soft tissues, including the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.

Anyone can suffer a sports injury, but they often affect folks who don’t practice injury prevention, like warming up, cooling down, and wearing proper safety equipment. But even those who do everything right can fall prey to a sports injury.

What are some common sports injuries?

Dr. Sheps treats various sports injuries, including:

• Achilles tendinitis
• Sprained ankle
• Fractures (broken bones)
• Dislocated joints
• Sore muscles
• Ruptured tendons
• Rotator cuff tears
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Cartilage tears

Sometimes, sports injuries happen because of general wear-and-tear. For example, lifting weights with poor form can cause a herniated disc or sciatica.

When should I see a chiropractor about sports injuries?

Make an appointment with Dr. Sheps if you suffer a sports injury, and your symptoms don’t improve with rest, ice, and over-the-counter (OTC) medication. That’s especially true if your pain continues for more than a few days, affects your mobility, and/or keeps you from your routine.

Sports injuries tend to get worse over time. Chiropractic care speeds up your natural healing process so that you can return to competition.

How does a chiropractor diagnose sports injuries?

Dr. Sheps reviews your medical records and asks about your injury, including when it happened, what it feels like, and if it affects your mobility.

He examines your injured body part (a sore knee, for example), checking for redness and swelling. Dr. Sheps assesses your muscle strength and flexibility and gently presses your skin to pinpoint sensitive spots. He orders diagnostic imaging like X-rays or an ultrasound to check for damage to your bones, joints, and/or soft tissues.

How does chiropractic care treat sports injuries?

Dr. Sheps takes a conservative, noninvasive approach to treat sports injuries. He can suggest:

• Chiropractic adjustments (hands-on manipulation of your bones and joints)
• Laser therapy
• Shockwave therapy
• Custom-fitted orthotics (prescription shoe inserts)
• VAX-D® spinal decompression
• Cryotherapy
• Stretches and strengthening exercises
• Wearing a splint or a brace
• Using a mobility device (crutches, a cane, or a walker)

Most sports injuries benefit from two or more of these treatments. Dr. Sheps monitors your symptoms at routine checkups and adjusts your care as needed. Follow his instructions, and don’t rush back into the activity that caused your injury. Doing so can interfere with your recovery.

Call the office of Michael Sheps, DC, today to schedule sports injury treatment, or book your appointment online.