Sprains, strains, and tendinitis are among the most common soft tissue injuries we treat at Loop Spine & Sports Center, and they affect a wide range of patients from desk workers dealing with repetitive strain to weekend warriors recovering from an awkward movement to runners and active patients pushing through training-related overuse injuries. While these conditions are often dismissed as minor, soft tissue injuries that are not properly treated have a tendency to become chronic, and chronic soft tissue conditions are significantly more difficult to resolve than acute ones.
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If you have been dealing with a sprain, strain, or tendinitis that is not improving on its own, getting it evaluated and treated properly sooner rather than later is the right decision.
Understanding the Difference
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A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the connective tissue that connects bone to bone and stabilizes joints. Sprains occur when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, stretching or tearing the ligament. Common sprains include ankle sprains, wrist sprains, and injuries to the ligaments of the knee. The severity of a sprain ranges from a mild stretch to a complete tear, and treatment varies accordingly.
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A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, the connective tissue that connects muscle to bone. Strains occur when a muscle is overstretched or overloaded, either from a single incident or from the cumulative effects of repetitive use. Back strains, hamstring strains, and rotator cuff strains are among the most common presentations in the chiropractic office.
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Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon, typically from overuse or repetitive strain. It develops when the demand placed on a tendon exceeds its capacity to recover between uses, leading to micro-damage, inflammation, and pain.
Common tendinitis conditions include tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, Achilles tendinitis, patellar tendinitis, and rotator cuff tendinitis. Left untreated, tendinitis can progress to tendinosis, a degenerative condition that is significantly more difficult to resolve.
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How We Treat Sprains, Strains, and Tendinitis
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At Loop Spine & Sports Center soft tissue injuries are treated with a combination of approaches tailored to the specific condition and its severity. Massage therapy is a central component of treatment for most sprains, strains, and tendinitis conditions. Deep tissue work, trigger point therapy, and in many cases cupping and scraping techniques address the soft tissue directly, breaking down adhesions, improving circulation, and restoring normal tissue mobility.
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Therapeutic ultrasound is used for conditions with a significant inflammatory component, particularly tendinitis conditions where chronic inflammation and early scar tissue formation are present. Chiropractic adjusting of the joints adjacent to the injured tissue is often part of the treatment plan as well, since joint restriction in the surrounding area frequently develops alongside soft tissue injuries and contributes to altered mechanics that slow recovery.
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Custom foot orthotics are added when lower extremity mechanics are a contributing factor in the development of the injury, which is common in runners and patients with overuse conditions of the ankle, knee, and lower leg.
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What to Expect
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Acute sprains and strains that are treated promptly typically respond well within a few weeks of consistent care. Chronic tendinitis conditions that have been present for months require more time and a more structured approach. Dr. Trottier will evaluate your specific presentation during your first visit and give you a realistic picture of what recovery looks like for your particular condition and how long it is likely to take.
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Ready to Get It Treated Properly?
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New patients are welcome and can take advantage of our $75 first visit special, which includes a thorough consultation, complete spinal examination, digital x-rays if needed, and a report of findings. No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about what is going on and whether we can help.
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Loop Spine & Sports Center is located at 30 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 605 in the heart of the Chicago Loop, steps from Millennium Park and accessible from every CTA train line.