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A sudden twist, awkward movement, fall, sports injury, or accident can result in a sprain or strain.

You may notice:

• Pain 
• Swelling 
• Bruising 
• Stiffness 
• Reduced range of motion 
• Muscle tightness 
• Weakness 
• Difficulty putting weight on an injured area 
• Pain with certain movements or activities 

Some injuries are relatively minor and improve with appropriate conservative care. Others require imaging, immobilization, medical treatment, or referral.

At O'Leary Chiropractic, we provide comprehensive evaluations and conservative rehabilitation for appropriately selected patients with muscle strains, ligament sprains, and other musculoskeletal injuries.

Our goal is not simply to reduce pain. We want to help you restore movement, strength, function, and confidence so you can safely return to the activities that matter to you.

The simplest way to remember it is:

Sprain = ligament injury

Strain = muscle or tendon injury

However, real-world injuries can involve multiple tissues at the same time.

For example, a person who rolls an ankle may injure a ligament while also developing muscle irritation and swelling around the joint.

That is why treatment should be based on the individual injury and examination findings, rather than simply the label “sprain” or “strain.”

What Causes Sprains and Strains?

Sprains and strains can happen during almost any physical activity.

Common causes include:

Sports Injuries

Running, skiing, basketball, football, soccer, hockey, tennis, and other sports can place significant demands on muscles and joints.

Falls

A fall can suddenly force a joint beyond its normal range of motion.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Sudden acceleration and deceleration can cause injuries involving the neck, back, shoulders, and other areas.

Lifting Injuries

Improper lifting, sudden loading, or lifting something heavier than expected can contribute to muscle strains.

Workplace Injuries

Repetitive activity, pushing, pulling, lifting, twisting, and other physical job demands can contribute to strains and sprains.

Overuse

Not every strain happens during one dramatic event. Repetitive activity can gradually overload muscles and tendons.

The appropriate response depends on the severity and location of the injury.

For some injuries, a period of protection and reduced loading may initially be appropriate.

However, prolonged complete rest is not always the goal.

Once it is safe to do so, rehabilitation generally progresses toward restoring:

• Range of motion 
• Strength 
• Weight-bearing ability 
• Balance 
• Coordination 
• Normal movement 
• Functional activity 

NICE recommends individualized rehabilitation following traumatic injury, including personalized exercise to maintain or improve muscle function, strength, and range of motion, with progression based on the person's injury and goals. 

For acute lateral ankle sprains specifically, clinical practice guidelines recommend external support when appropriate and progressive weight bearing, followed by structured therapeutic exercise. 

Feeling better does not always mean that an injury has completely recovered.

Pain may improve before:

• Strength has returned 
• Balance has normalized 
• Range of motion has been restored 
• Coordination has improved 
• The injured tissue is ready for full activity 

This is particularly important with ankle sprains.

Clinical practice guidelines recommend therapeutic exercise involving range of motion, stretching, strengthening, neuromuscular training, and balance work following ankle sprains. These interventions can help improve function and reduce the risk of recurrent instability. 

A properly progressed rehabilitation program can help bridge the gap between “I don't hurt anymore” and “I'm ready to perform normally again.”

A sprain or strain does not have to become a long-term limitation.

The right rehabilitation plan can help you progress from:

Injury → Pain control → Restored movement → Strength → Function → Return to activity

At O'Leary Chiropractic, we provide individualized evaluation and conservative rehabilitation for appropriately selected muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint injuries.

Our focus is on helping you recover function—not simply masking symptoms.

Schedule a Sprain or Strain Evaluation

If you've recently injured yourself or are dealing with lingering pain after a sprain or strain, contact O'Leary Chiropractic to schedule an evaluation.

Call us today at (518) 793-1205 or request an appointment online!

Serving patients in Queensbury, Glens Falls, Lake George, Hudson Falls, and the surrounding Adirondack region.