Common Musculoskeletal Sports Injuries in El Paso
Holistic Treatment and Recovery at ChiroMed Integrated Medicine
Active people in El Paso, Texas, often face sports injuries. The hot weather, dry air, and rough terrain make running, football, soccer, and basketball fun but risky. Heat can tire you out fast and tighten muscles. Uneven ground can cause twists and falls. Common problems include sprains and strains in the ankles, knees, hamstrings, and back. Knee issues like ACL and meniscus tears, and runner’s or jumper’s knee, are common, too. Other injuries include tendonitis (tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendon issues), shin splints, hip labral tears, rotator cuff problems, and stress fractures.
At ChiroMed—Integrated Medicine Holistic Healthcare in El Paso, TX, patients receive comprehensive, natural care for these issues. The clinic mixes chiropractic adjustments, nurse practitioner services, rehabilitation, nutrition counseling, naturopathy, and acupuncture. This team approach fixes the root causes, reduces pain, and helps you get back to activities stronger. Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP, leads the team with his expertise in chiropractic and family nurse practitioner care. He focuses on personalized plans that support natural healing and long-term wellness (ChiroMed, n.d.-a).
Common Musculoskeletal Sports Injuries in El Paso
These injuries affect muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and joints. In El Paso, they happen frequently due to year-round outdoor sports and the climate.
Here are some top ones:
- Sprains and Strains—Sprains tear or stretch ligaments, often in the ankles from landing wrong or the knees from twists. Strains hit muscles or tendons, like hamstrings from quick starts or the back from heavy lifts (Texas Spine Clinic, n.d.).
- Knee Problems—ACL tears from sudden stops or direction changes in soccer or basketball. Meniscus tears from pivoting. Runner’s knee, or jumper’s knee, from repeated jumping or running on hard surfaces (Spectrum Therapy Consultants, n.d.).
- Tendonitis—Swelling in tendons, like tennis elbow from gripping rackets, golfer’s elbow from swinging clubs, or Achilles’ from running uphill (Woodlands Sports Medicine Center, n.d.).
- Shin Splints—Pain in the lower leg from too much impact on pavement or trails.
- Hip Labral Tears—Damage to cartilage in the hip from repetitive twisting in football.
- Rotator Cuff Injuries—Shoulder pain or tears from throwing in sports.
- Stress Fractures—Tiny bone cracks from overuse, common in feet or legs for runners (El Paso Center for Family and Sports Medicine, n.d.).
These can cause swelling, pain, and trouble moving. Without good care, they may lead to ongoing issues.
Why These Injuries Happen in El Paso
The desert heat makes you sweat more, leading to tight muscles and easier pulls. Dry air and wind add fatigue. Local sports like football with hard hits, soccer with lots of running, basketball with jumps, and trail running on rocks raise risks.
Other reasons include lack of warm-up, poor form, excessive training, or the wrong shoes. Quick stops on uneven terrain can tear knees, and not resting enough can cause stress fractures (Ortho Spine Centers, n.d.).
Holistic Chiropractic Care at ChiroMed
ChiroMed uses chiropractic care as its primary tool for treating sports injuries. Adjustments realign the spine and joints to ease pain and improve movement. This helps with back strains, neck issues, and knee pain caused by poor posture.
The team adds rehab exercises for strength and flexibility. Massage, acupuncture, and nutrition advice reduce swelling and speed healing. This natural way avoids drugs and surgery when possible (ChiroMed, n.d.-b).
Dr. Alex Jimenez notes that adjustments and holistic methods help athletes fully recover. His integrated view looks at the whole body for better results (Jimenez, n.d.).
Nurse Practitioner and Integrated Care
Nurse practitioners at ChiroMed provide complete care. They diagnose, manage pain, order tests, and make treatment plans. In functional medicine, they assess diet, stress, and lifestyle to identify root causes.
They team up with chiropractors, physical therapists, and others for the best plan. Options include mobility rehabilitation, naturopathic support, and nutrition to fight inflammation (ChiroMed, n.d.-c). This holistic style helps performance and stops injuries from returning.
Example: Recovering from a Knee Injury at ChiroMed
Take a soccer player with knee pain, such as runner’s knee or an ACL injury. They start with a nurse practitioner exam using functional medicine to spot weaknesses or nutrition gaps.
Chiropractic adjustments align the spine and reduce knee stress. Rehabilitation includes exercises to build strength and balance. Acupuncture eases pain, and nutrition counseling adds anti-inflammatory foods.
Dr. Alex Jimenez coordinates this care. His experience shows patients heal faster and stronger with this mix. Many El Paso athletes return to sports with less pain and better movement thanks to ChiroMed’s personalized approach (ChiroMed, n.d.-d).
Prevention Tips to Stay Active
Prevent injuries with these easy steps:
- Warm Up Well → Stretch and move lightly before playing.
- Wear the Right Gear → Good shoes and supports for your sport.
- Build Strength Slowly → Mix exercises for power, flexibility, and endurance.
- Drink Water → Stay hydrated in the heat to avoid cramps.
- Rest When Needed → Take breaks and stop if it hurts.
- Learn Good Form → Get tips on proper techniques.
ChiroMed offers wellness checks and nutrition plans to help prevent problems (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 2023).
Find Holistic Recovery at ChiroMed in El Paso
Sports injuries like sprains, knee tears, and tendonitis are common in El Paso due to local activities and weather conditions. At ChiroMed – Integrated Medicine, chiropractic care, nurse practitioner services, rehabilitation, and holistic options provide full treatment. Led by Dr. Alex Jimenez, the clinic focuses on root causes for lasting recovery and better performance. Visit ChiroMed for natural, integrated care to get back to your active life.
References
ChiroMed. (n.d.-a). Home. https://chiromed.com/
ChiroMed. (n.d.-b). Chiropractic care. https://chiromed.com/services/chiropractor-el-paso-tx/
ChiroMed. (n.d.-c). Services. https://chiromed.com/services/
ChiroMed. (n.d.-d). Sports injuries. https://chiromed.com/services/sport-injuries/
El Paso Center for Family and Sports Medicine. (n.d.). Musculoskeletal injuries. https://www.elpasocenterfamilyandsportsmed.com/services/musculoskeletal-injuries
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alex Jimenez. https://dralexjimenez.com/
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (2023). Sports injuries. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries
Ortho Spine Centers. (n.d.). Understanding common spring sports injuries. https://orthospinecenters.com/understanding-common-spring-sports-injuries-prevention-techniques-and-the-role-of-the-musculoskeletal-system/
Spectrum Therapy Consultants. (n.d.). Sports injuries. https://spectrumtherapyconsultants.com/physical-therapy-services/sports-injuries/
Texas Spine Clinic. (n.d.). Sports injuries. https://www.texasspineclinic.com/sports-injuries/
Woodlands Sports Medicine Center. (n.d.). 6 common sports injuries. https://www.woodlandssportsmedicine.com/blog/6-common-sports-injuries