| Soft tissue injury; we all have probably | | | | not treated immediately, can result in a |
| heard this term used before by a doctor or an | | | | large tear or even stress fracture. A stress |
| athlete or a coach, but what exactly is an | | | | fracture to a bone is a great example of an |
| injury to the soft tissue? Well, the term | | | | overuse injury. |
| soft tissue is referring the tendons, | | | | |
| ligaments, and of course muscles throughout | | | | The last three types of soft tissue injuries |
| your body. The injury part is usually due to | | | | that are commonly diagnosed are contusions, |
| chronic stress placed on a joint, or overuse, | | | | tendonitis, and bursitis. A contusion is |
| but can also be due to a single blow. | | | | quite simply a fancy word for a bruise. This |
| | | | injury is often the result of a single blow |
| Whether your soft tissue injury is the result | | | | to soft tissue. The area will become |
| of overuse or a one-time blow that caused the | | | | discolored due to broken blood vessels, and |
| injury, the result is still the same; pain, | | | | will usually be tender to the touch and could |
| swelling, redness, and instability are the | | | | even limit range of motion. Tendonitis is |
| most common symptoms. A doctor will assess | | | | more of an overuse injury. A common form of |
| your injury and grade it based on the | | | | tendonitis is tennis elbow, which is |
| severity of the injury. From there, the | | | | inflammation of tendons in the elbow due to |
| rehabilitation protocol is fairly standard. | | | | overuse on the tennis court. You may have |
| Let's take a look at some of the most common | | | | heard the term bursitis before, and it is |
| soft tissue injuries and ways to prevent such | | | | simply an inflamed bursa, or sac, that helps |
| damage. | | | | relieve friction in your joints. |
| | | | |
| If you don't think soft tissue injuries are | | | | Although injuries can not always be |
| common, ask yourself how often you hear your | | | | prevented, especially for those participating |
| friends or family talk about issues such as: | | | | in sports, there are some things we can do to |
| tennis elbow, an ankle sprain, strained back | | | | limit the stress we place on our body in an |
| muscles, or even a contusion. Yes it's true, | | | | attempt to reduce the likelihood of injury. |
| everyday people suffer from soft tissue | | | | Regular stretching is a must for everyone. |
| injuries just like athletes do. There are all | | | | Your body needs to remain limber and |
| kinds of injuries that fall under the | | | | flexible. Stretching before and after any |
| category of soft tissue. | | | | form of workout is also essential. |
| | | | Strengthening weaker body regions will also |
| These common injuries are classified into a | | | | help with injury prevention. Do not push it |
| few different types, each having unique | | | | too far; when you are fatigued you are much |
| characteristics. The sprain or strain is | | | | more likely to be injured. Take a break when |
| likely the most recognized soft tissue | | | | you need it. Finally, the best advice for |
| injury. The term sprain refers to a stretched | | | | anyone working out or playing sports is to |
| or even torn ligament. Many people use the | | | | perform only with proper technique. Bad form |
| terms sprain and strain interchangeably, but | | | | will always result in undue stress to the |
| the truth is they are not the exact same | | | | body and lead to injury. |
| injury. A strain is similar to a sprain in | | | | |
| that it is a stretching and tearing of soft | | | | Robert Tendick is a student preparing himself |
| tissue, but a strain specifically refers to | | | | to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy. Through |
| tendons and muscles instead of ligaments. | | | | his degree in Kinesiology and experiences as |
| | | | an athlete, Robert has become familiar with |
| You may have heard of an overuse injury | | | | laser light physical therapy and other |
| before, and by putting repeated stress on a | | | | treatments for soft tissue injuries. As a |
| muscle, tendon, or even ligament will cause | | | | physical therapy aide, he has also helped |
| injury over time. Repetitive stress causes | | | | heal a number of Los Angeles physical therapy |
| micro-tears to the tissue and over a period | | | | patients through the use of cutting edge |
| of time will sum up to a greater tear. This | | | | injury rehabilitation techniques. |
| usually results in swelling and pain, and if | | | | |