Soft tissues pain varies significantly, effecting thousands of people worldwide each day. From muscle spasms to joint tenderness to muscle pain, the discomfort associated with soft tissue pain ranges vastly and hinders numerous areas on the body. In reality, soft tissue pain refers to the symptoms of a number of conditions. In general, when any discomfort is present in the network of interconnected tendons, ligaments, and joints, soft tissue pain is an accurate description. With such a wide variety of soft tissue pain ailments, understanding the source of the pain is essential to developing a treatment plan for recovery.
At Campbell Sports Rehab and Spine Center, our team of skilled chiropractors and physical therapy experts has spent years working with patients suffering from all kinds of soft tissue pain. Treating each and every patient on a case by case basis, we are able to create a customized recovery plan that suits the particular patient and their particular injury. Our seasoned team of chiropractors specializes in treating the following types of soft tissue pain:
The above injuries represent some of the most common types of soft tissue pain treated at Campbell Sports Rehab and Spine Center. Our West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens offices have been providing expert care to patients and athletes in Florida for many years. Whether you are looking to return to normal daily activity or are preparing to get back on the field as soon as possible, our chiropractic care team is ready to customize a treatment plan for you. A proactive approach to soft tissue pain is the best way to strengthen core muscles, reduce pain, and prevent future ailments.
Running Injuries
Running injuries are incredibly common, as the activity of running is both repetitive and taxing on the body. From hip pain to knee injuries and from legs injuries to foot pain, the entire body is under stress while participating in serious runs. From aches and pains here to twinges and tweaks there, being aware of the body and some of the most common running injuries is important. Those runners who are especially conscious of their body and potential damages will be better equipped to avoid setbacks. While runner’s knee, hamstring injuries, and Achilles tendonitis are the most common of running injuries, there are certainly many additional ways that runners suffer each day. Being proactive about addressing even minor pain is critical to pinpointing injuries before they become serious.
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Golf Injuries
Overuse injuries are by and far the most commonly seen golf ailments. From playing many rounds to spending time on the course practicing, repeated actions often cause injury for serious golfers. Lower back problems are very prevalent in golfing, resulting from the rotation and extension motion that exists in the golf swing. In addition, the elbow and wrist are vulnerable to injuries while golfing. Golfer’s elbow is pain felt in the inner side of the elbow and may spread to the forearm and wrist. When the tendons of the forearm muscles attaching to the bony bump located in the inside of the elbow are injured, medial epicondylitis may ensue. Warming up prior to playing or practicing golf is imperative to preventing soft tissue pain.
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Weight Lifting Injuries
Weight training is a wonderful way to build muscle and perfect the body. Unfortunately, weight training is often associated with a wide range of soft tissue pain. Poor technique is most certainly the cause of the majority of these injuries, indicating a need for weight lifters to pay close attention to each and every movement while weight training. Building muscle requires specific movements that place pressure on the body’s muscles, joints, and connective tissue. As such, heavy emphasis must be placed on form and technique in order to train the body to handle heavy weights paired with motion. Warming up and proper form is critical to avoiding weight lifting injuries.
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Tendonitis – Tendonosis
Tendonitis occurs when a tendon is inflamed due to micro-tears from a sudden or heavy force. Tendon injuries can be incredibly troublesome for athletes, as they can develop in a number of different areas of the body. While often used interchangeably, tendonitis refers to the inflammation of the tendon while tendonosis refers to the micro-tears in the tissue both in and around the tendon. These injuries are almost always cause by overuse. As the gradual wear and tear continues to take a toll on the tendon, the body responds with inflammation and eventually tiny tears. Treating these injuries immediately is essential to stopping this type of soft tissue pain.
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Scar Tissue Formation
When a chronic or severe injury is suffered, damage to the epithelia and parenchymal cells in addition to the connective tissue is sustained. In order to repair this damage, nonregenerated cells are replaced by connective tissue which eventually forms into a scar. While the formation of scar tissue following an injury is normal, it may also cause serious problems. When scar tissue is present it may interfere with the functionality of the body’s organs. Reducing scar tissue formation with nonsurgical physical therapy treatment is a way to reduce the inflammation associated. It is important for injured athletes to seek care as soon as possible in order to limit the negative effects of scar tissue formation.
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Repetitive Stress Injuries
When too much pressure is placed on a certain part of the body due to repeated movements, repetitive stress injuries may occur. This type of bodily damage is common with athletes, as they are typically practicing and playing using the same muscles and joints over and over again. As a result, muscle strain, inflammation, and tissue damage may occur. Overuse injuries such as tennis elbow are very common, as repeated strains and stress is placed on the same muscles. This type of pain is often marked by numbness and pain which increases over time. Treating repetitive stress injuries as soon as any symptoms are felt is essential to a quick recovery.
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Myofascitis
From pain to numbness to weakness, those suffering from myofascitis pain will first notice a pain originating from muscle spasms. Myofascitis may affect a group of muscles or an isolated muscle and will often mimic a ligament, nerve, or disc injury. More often than not, myofascitis is caused by a sports injury, car crash, or work accident. Physical therapy is the most advantageous way to treat myofascitis, as treatment will focus on healing the muscles while reducing inflammation. In addition, stretching and strengthening exercises will help to regain normal function of the injured area.
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Post-Surgical
Post-surgical pain is rather common, sometimes even developing into a chronic pain as the body deals with tissue trauma. Following surgery, the body responds in a complex manner that triggers hypersensitivity throughout the central nervous system. As a result, pain can be felt in areas that were not affected in the surgical procedure. Controlling and then removing post-surgical pain is critical to the general recovery process. As such, pain management is utilized to help the patient overcome the most common types of post-surgical pain.
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Nerve Entrapment Syndrome
Nerves serve to transmit information to the organs from the brain and spinal cord. The nerves are located all throughout the body and through regions of lower and upper extremities and traversing through joints. When these nerves become entrapped or compressed at random portions of the extremities, serious pain is sustained. Nerve entrapment syndrome is a chronic injury that often stems from a repeated or high-impact trauma. Initially, nerve entrapment syndrome will be noted by pain and will eventually increase to loss of nerve function. Decompressing the nerves is essential to recovery in order to reduce pain and treat the damage before it worsens.
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Gait Imbalances
A person’s gait refers to the process of walking, which involves an element of balance. Unfortunately, gait imbalances are a leading contributor of falls nationwide. In older adults, gait imbalances are the top source of falls, leading to a wide variety of injuries, disability, and a limited quality of life. Walking requires the proper function of the brain, muscles, ears, and eyes. Any issues with these functions can cause gait imbalances, which can be both temporary and long-term depending upon the cause of damage. Treating gait imbalances involves physical therapy and rehabilitation in order to help the patient regain function as well as improve balance.
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Joint Dysfunction
Formed the connection of the right and left iliac bones and the sacrum, the sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvis. While there is typically very little motion in the sacroiliac joints, there is a great amount of stress across them due their role in supporting the weight of the body. The sacroiliac joint has a layer of cartilage which covers the bone and when this cartilage begins to wear away or suffers any type of damage, the results can be incredibly painful. As the bones begin to rub on one another, degenerative arthritis arises in the sacroiliac joints. Through stabilization and stretching techniques, physical therapy plays a great role in alleviating sacroiliac joint pain.
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Muscle Pulls & Strains
Muscles pulls and strains are amongst the most frequently seen injuries for athletes today. From a medical perspective, muscle pulls or strains (sometimes referred to as tears) occur with damage to a muscle or the attached tendons. An athlete will typically describe a snapping or popping sensation upon muscle tear. The symptoms of muscle pulls and strains vary tremendously, as these injuries range from very minor to very severe. As soon as any redness or swelling is sustained, it is important to seize activity in order to assess the damage. Physical therapy and sports rehabilitation is often necessary to reduce swelling, strengthen the muscle, and slowly begin the healing and recovery process.
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Soft tissue pain will likely affect almost everyone at least once their lifetime. While the severity of injury may range significantly, it is imperative for injured parties, especially athletes, to take a proactive approach to recovery. Even the most minor of soft tissue pain can quickly escalate to a serious injury if not treated appropriately. At Campbell Sports Rehab and Spine Center we have spent years perfecting our process to treatment and recovery of sports injuries. Our expert physical therapists and skilled chiropractors are prepared to customize a soft tissue pain treatment plan for you today. Schedule an appointment with our West Palm Beach or Palm Beach Gardens office at your earliest convenience.