As a health and fitness advocate, you probably didn’t know that sports and recreational activities account for approximately 8.6 million injuries each year in the US, that are bad enough to be treated in the emergency room. While this includes injuries from a wide range of sports and activities, not just those specific to the spring, Americans tend to participate in more sports and physical activities during the warm months, including the spring and summer seasons. This is due in part to the fact that many sports and activities are more conducive to warmer weather, such as swimming, running, and outdoor team sports like soccer and baseball.

That said, as we move into spring, injuries from sports and activities will become more commonplace. These injuries can range from minor sprains to more severe forms, such as fractures. No matter your age or experience level, understanding different types of injuries and how to prevent them is essential to getting the most out of an active lifestyle. In this article, we’ll focus on the top 4 most common injuries—sprains, strains, fractures, and overuse injuries—and discuss how to prevent and recover from them quickly.

1. Sprains:

A sprain is a ligament injury that occurs when sudden force is applied to a joint or to a bone that forms a joint. Minor sprains involve stretching of the ligament, while serious sprains involve complete rupture or tearing. Sprains are very common in the ligaments of the ankle, knee, elbow, shoulder, and thumb. The symptoms of a minor sprain include pain, swelling, and tenderness. Most minor sprains begin to feel better within two days and fully resolve within one to two weeks.

2. Strains:

A strain, sometimes called a “pulled” muscle, is a muscle tear caused by sudden stretching or forceful contraction, usually during a change of speed or direction. A minor strain involves minimal torn or damaged muscle fibers, while a severe strain is a complete rupture of the muscle. Strains are very common in the hamstring, quadriceps, calf, groin, rotator cuff, and lower back muscles. The symptoms of a strain include pain when contracting or stretching the muscle, tenderness, swelling, and bruising. Normally with this injury, you can return to your normal activities after the muscle strain feels better and regains the same flexibility and strength as the corresponding muscle on the other side of your body.

3. Fractures:

A fracture is a broken bone caused by a traumatic injury, such as a fall or collision. The symptoms of a fracture are severe and painful, making it easy to identify. If you suspect a fracture, seek medical attention right away. Treatment largely depends on the location and extent of the fracture but may include immobilization with a cast for several weeks or surgery to repair the broken bones.

4. Overuse injuries:

Overuse injuries result from repetitive stress on your tendons, bones, and joints, and can be caused by overtraining, imbalances between strength and flexibility, poor body alignment, and incorrect technique. Common overuse injuries include tendonitis, stress fractures, shin splints, bursitis, and joint pain, especially in the knee or elbow. Overuse injuries are common in both children and adults. In children, overspecialization in one sport or participation in athletic training that’s too intense for the child’s age is a common cause. In adults, overuse injuries are often caused by repeated performance of the same activities.

Healing Sports Injuries with Chiropractic Care

While there are many ways to prevent and recover from sports injuries, chiropractic care can be a valuable tool in the healing process. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring the body’s natural ability to heal itself, without the use of drugs or surgery. Chiropractors can help to realign the spine and joints, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility and range of motion. This can be especially helpful in treating injuries such as sprains, strains, and overuse injuries.

For example, a chiropractor can use spinal manipulation to realign the vertebrae in the spine, which can alleviate pressure on nerves and improve blood flow to affected areas. This can help to reduce inflammation and pain while promoting faster healing.

Chiropractic care can also be effective in preventing future injuries. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help to keep the body in proper alignment, reducing the risk of muscle strains, sprains, and other injuries. Chiropractors can also provide advice on proper posture and body mechanics, as well as exercises to help improve balance, coordination, and flexibility. If you have suffered a sports injury, chiropractic care may be an effective treatment option. Be sure to consult with an aMaxLiving doctor to help evaluate your injury and help develop a personalized treatment plan to help you recover quickly and safely.

Targeted Nutrition for Preventing and Recovering from Sports Injuries

Collagen plays an important role in the prevention and recovery from sports injuries, making it an essential supplement for athletes and active individuals. Collagen is a primary structural protein in the body, found in connective tissues, tendons, ligaments, and skin. Supplementing with PurePath Collagen Peptides helps enhance the body's natural collagen production, building stronger and more resilient connective tissues. This increased strength can reduce the risk of injuries caused by the repetitive stress and strain that are common in sports. Also, collagen supports faster recovery by accelerating the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues, reducing downtime and enabling athletes to return to their activities more quickly.

Different types of collagen provide specific benefits to the body. Type I collagen is the most abundant and is primarily found in tendons, ligaments, bones, and skin. It is known for its tensile strength and ability to support the structural integrity of these tissues, which is critical for both injury prevention and recovery. Type II collagen is predominantly located in cartilage, providing cushioning and support to joints, which helps to prevent joint-related injuries and aids in the recovery of cartilage damage. Type III collagen is found in skin, blood vessels, and internal organs, contributing to the flexibility and strength of these tissues. Our PurePath Collagen Peptides contains all three types of collagen, so athletes can be sure they're receiving a comprehensive blend of vital collagen types to support overall tissue health and resilience.