Sprains & Strains Treatment
Injured Doing What You Love? Let's Help You Get Moving Again.
Life in Alaska keeps you active.Whether you're hiking, skiing, snowboarding, hunting, fishing, snowmachining, working on the job site, playing hockey, or simply shoveling snow, your body works hard every day.
Unfortunately, those activities can sometimes lead to sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries.
At Bilan Chiropractic, we help people recover from everyday injuries so they can get back to the activities that make living in Alaska so rewarding.
What's the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain?
It's a common question.A sprain is an injury to a ligament-the strong tissue that connects bones and helps stabilize a joint.
A strain affects a muscle or tendon, which helps create movement.
Both injuries can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, and limited mobility, and both deserve a proper evaluation to guide recovery.
Common Causes of Sprains and Strains in Alaska
We frequently see injuries caused by:- Slipping on ice
- Hiking and trail running
- Skiing and snowboarding
- Snowmachining
- Hunting and packing heavy loads
- Fishing
- Lifting at work
- Construction and trades
- CrossFit and weightlifting
- Hockey and recreational sports
- Yard work and home improvement
- Shoveling snow
Our Approach to Sprains & Strains
Sprains and strains affect more than just the injured tissue.When you're injured, your body naturally changes the way it moves to protect itself. Over time, those compensations can place extra stress on nearby muscles and joints, making recovery take longer than it should.
That's why we don't just evaluate the injury-we evaluate how your entire body is moving.
Depending on your condition, your treatment plan may include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Joint mobilization
- Soft tissue therapy
- Therapeutic massage
- Rehabilitation exercises
- Mobility training
- Home recovery exercises
Get Back to the Alaska Lifestyle You Love
Whether you were injured on the trail, on the slopes, at work, on the ice, or simply slipping on a snowy sidewalk, we're here to help.At Bilan Chiropractic, we understand the demands that Alaska places on your body, and we're committed to helping you recover safely so you can get back to hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing, working, and enjoying everything Alaska has to offer.
Schedule your evaluation today and take the first step toward moving better and recovering with confidence.
How do I know if I have a sprain or a strain?
A. It isn't always easy to tell.
Both injuries can cause:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Muscle tightness
• Weakness
• Limited movement
A thorough examination helps determine which tissues have been injured and what type of treatment may be appropriate.
Both injuries can cause:
• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Muscle tightness
• Weakness
• Limited movement
A thorough examination helps determine which tissues have been injured and what type of treatment may be appropriate.
Should I keep using it or rest?
A. The answer depends on your injury.
While complete rest is sometimes necessary early on, staying inactive for too long can slow recovery.
We'll help you understand when it's safe to begin moving again and what activities should be modified while you heal.
While complete rest is sometimes necessary early on, staying inactive for too long can slow recovery.
We'll help you understand when it's safe to begin moving again and what activities should be modified while you heal.
Do sprains and strains heal on their own?
A. Many mild injuries improve over time.
However, some sprains and strains don't heal as expected because the surrounding joints become stiff, muscles compensate, or normal movement patterns change.
If pain, swelling, or weakness isn't improving, it's a good idea to be evaluated.
However, some sprains and strains don't heal as expected because the surrounding joints become stiff, muscles compensate, or normal movement patterns change.
If pain, swelling, or weakness isn't improving, it's a good idea to be evaluated.
Can chiropractic care help sprains and strains?
A. Yes-for many people.
After evaluating your injury, your treatment plan may include chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, therapeutic massage, and movement training designed to improve mobility and support healing.
Every treatment plan is personalized based on your injury and your recovery goals.
After evaluating your injury, your treatment plan may include chiropractic care, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation exercises, therapeutic massage, and movement training designed to improve mobility and support healing.
Every treatment plan is personalized based on your injury and your recovery goals.
Why does it still hurt weeks later?
A. Pain doesn't always mean the tissue hasn't healed.
Sometimes the body develops protective movement patterns, muscle tightness, or joint stiffness that continue causing discomfort long after the initial injury.
Part of our job is helping restore healthy movement so your body can function more normally again.
Sometimes the body develops protective movement patterns, muscle tightness, or joint stiffness that continue causing discomfort long after the initial injury.
Part of our job is helping restore healthy movement so your body can function more normally again.
Should I use ice or heat?
A. It depends.
In the early stages of many injuries, ice may help manage pain and swelling.
As healing progresses, heat and other therapies may be more appropriate for improving mobility and reducing muscle tension.
We'll recommend what's best for your specific injury.
In the early stages of many injuries, ice may help manage pain and swelling.
As healing progresses, heat and other therapies may be more appropriate for improving mobility and reducing muscle tension.
We'll recommend what's best for your specific injury.
When should I be concerned?
A. Seek prompt medical evaluation if you experience:
• A joint that won't support your weight
• Significant deformity
• Severe swelling immediately after injury
• Loss of sensation
• Severe weakness
• Inability to move the joint
These symptoms may require additional medical evaluation or imaging.
• A joint that won't support your weight
• Significant deformity
• Severe swelling immediately after injury
• Loss of sensation
• Severe weakness
• Inability to move the joint
These symptoms may require additional medical evaluation or imaging.