When you incur a strain or sprain injury to your back, neck or joints, several types of connective or soft tissues are affects: ligaments, joints, tendons, cartilage. Ligaments are the flexible structures that hold adjacent bones together. The point where two bones meet forms a complex structure called a joint. Intervertebral discs are joint structures in your spine. Either can easily become torqued or thrown out of alignment during a fall, lifting, or even a sudden incorrect movement. Tendons attach muscles onto bones. Tendons, ligaments and muscles may become overstretched or torn (sprained) during injuries. A key component of many of these structures is cartilage. It consists of super resilient molecules called GAGs, water, and a tough flexible protein called collagen that holds it all together.
The chiropractic physician can offer considerable relief for injury recovery but it is essential that he or she first make a complete evaluation to differentiate among the possible injuries. An accuate history, examination, and specialized tests must be performed, a procedure for which the chiropractic physician is expertly trained. He or she will treat you and may also recommend exercise, dietary changes and vitamin supplments to aid the body’s natural healing process.