Calgary is a city that loves to move. Whether you are navigating icy sidewalks in the middle of winter, hiking the rugged trails of the nearby Rockies, or playing in a weekend sports league, our active lifestyles come with occasional risks. A sudden twist, a heavy fall, or an awkward lift can result in a painful sprain or strain. These common soft tissue injuries can instantly disrupt your daily routine and keep you away from the activities you love the most.
At Shephard Health, our dedicated team provides expert, people-first care for sprains and strains. We understand that acute joint and muscle pain requires immediate attention and a clear path to recovery. We do not just treat the immediate symptoms. We focus on healing the underlying tissue damage, restoring your mobility, and strengthening your body to prevent future injuries.
Many people use the terms sprain and strain interchangeably because they share very similar symptoms, including pain, swelling, and limited mobility. However, they are two distinctly different types of soft tissue injuries that affect different parts of your musculoskeletal system.
What is a Sprain? A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are the tough, fibrous bands of connective tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. Sprains occur when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, causing the ligament to stretch or tear. The most common location for a sprain is the ankle, often resulting from a sudden roll or twist. Symptoms of a sprain typically include bruising, severe swelling, a popping sensation at the time of injury, and restricted joint flexibility.
What is a Strain? A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon. Tendons are the thick cords of tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. Strains happen when a muscle or tendon is overstretched or torn. This is frequently referred to as a "pulled muscle." Strains commonly occur in the lower back, the hamstring muscle, or the shoulder. Symptoms of a strain include muscle spasms, cramping, weakness, and sharp pain during movement.
It is a common mistake to assume that a minor sprain or strain will simply heal on its own with a few days of rest. While the initial sharp pain might subside, the underlying tissue damage requires active rehabilitation. Failing to treat a sprain can lead to chronic joint instability, making you highly vulnerable to rolling the same ankle or tweaking the same knee in the future.
Similarly, untreated muscle strains often heal with dense, restrictive scar tissue. This scar tissue limits your natural flexibility and creates muscular imbalances that can trigger pain in completely different areas of your body. Prompt, professional care is the only way to ensure your soft tissues heal correctly and completely.
When you visit our clinic for a sprain or strain, we begin with a thorough biomechanical assessment. We will pinpoint the exact location and severity of your injury to develop a highly customized treatment plan.
We utilize active release therapy in Calgary to expertly break down the scar tissue that forms after a muscle strain. This hands-on technique relieves tension and safely restores smooth movement to your injured muscles and fascia.
For severe or chronic strains and sprains, we frequently utilize shockwave therapy. This technology delivers acoustic waves to the injured area, increasing blood flow and accelerating your body's natural regenerative processes.
Joint misalignments often accompany severe sprains. Dr. Shephard provides gentle chiropractic care to ensure your skeletal system is properly aligned, removing unnecessary stress from your healing soft tissues.
Our advanced cold laser therapy utilizes light energy to penetrate deep into injured ligaments and tendons. This highly effective treatment stimulates cellular repair and significantly reduces localized swelling and inflammation.
You do not have to suffer through the pain and frustration of a soft tissue injury. Our experienced clinical team is here to provide the expert guidance and targeted therapy you need to recover safely.
Contact Shephard Health today to schedule your comprehensive assessment. Let us help you heal correctly so you can get back to moving freely.
