Have you ever twisted your ankle while stepping off a curb, or felt a sharp pain in your shoulder after lifting something heavy? These are pretty common scenarios for our patients. 

When one of these events occurs, you’re likely to suspect a strain or a sprain. 

While you know for sure you're in pain, you may not be not sure what's happening in your body. 

Is it a muscle strain or a ligament sprain?

Both muscle sprains and ligament strains can limit your ability to perform in life, especially at work.  

We recently had a manual laborer come to our office complaining of intense shoulder pain after repetitive lifting. 

Since heavy lifting is a regular part of his job, he was worried about being unable to work. 

Thankfully, we were able to successfully treat him. He soon regained strength and mobility, and was able to return to work pain-free.

Warning signs of muscle sprains and ligament strains manifest differently depending on where you're at in life:

• Manual Laborers tend to feel localized pain, stiffness, or swelling during specific movements
• Tech Workers often have persistent muscle tightness or decreased range of motion
• Seniors can experience pain after rest, difficulty walking, or joint swelling
• Active Parents juggling daily tasks often feel pain in their muscles or joints
• Athletes may feel subtle or tolerable pain, but should not “push through” it. Pain or dysfunction in high-stress areas like knees, shoulders, or ankles especially should be checked out, not ignored

What’s the difference between a muscle sprain and a ligament strain?

The difference lies in the type of tissue that’s been affected, and the event that causes it.

Muscles are tissues that contract to create movement. 

A muscle strain occurs when muscle fibers are overstretched or torn. Muscle strain often comes from excessive force or overuse.

Ligaments are connective tissue that stabilize joints by connecting bones to each other. 

A ligament sprain happens when a ligament is stretched or torn. A sudden twist or impact that forces a joint beyond its normal range of motion can cause a ligament sprain.

Understanding the symptoms is key to determining whether you’re dealing with a muscle strain or a ligament sprain. 

Both conditions share some similarities, such as pain and swelling.

Muscle strain and ligament sprain differ based on: 

• Location
• Severity
• How they impact movement

Symptoms of muscle strains and ligament sprains differ.

There are certain signs that indicate whether you’ve experienced a muscle strain or a ligament sprain:

What the pain feels like

• Muscle Strain Pain: You may feel sharp pain, especially when stretching the muscle. At rest, the pain might feel achy, throbbing, or pulsating
• Ligament Sprain Pain: You may notice sharp or achy pain, usually when moving the joint in a specific direction. Sprains often occur during high-force twisting or rotational movements

Where your pain is located

• Muscle Strain Location: Pain is typically felt where the muscle transitions into the tendon (the musculotendinous junction)
• Ligament Sprain Location: Pain is felt at the site where ligaments connect bones

Degree of swelling or inflammation

• Muscle Strain Swelling: Your swelling may range from moderate to severe
• Ligament Sprain Swelling: Swelling varies by severity, but is commonly seen near your injured ligament

Your ability to move

• Mobility with Muscle Strain: Your ability to move might be moderately to severely limited
• Mobility with Ligament Sprain: Your range of motion may be limited, with greater instability as severity increases

When your pain gets worse, and when it gets better

• Muscle Strain Pain Intensity: Your pain tends to worsen with active movement or stretching. Rest, ice, and gentle stretching usually help
• Ligament Sprain Pain Intensity: Pain may worsen with weight-bearing or specific joint movements. Immobilization and ice often provide relief

What happens if you ignore muscle strains or ligament sprains?

Ignoring a muscle strain or ligament sprain can lead to long-term issues with your mobility, strength, and quality of life.

What happens if you don’t get diagnosed and treated?

Serious, and possibly chronic, conditions may develop without proper treatment. 

• Neglecting a Muscle Strain: If left untreated, a muscle strain can lead to further tearing of your muscle fibers. Over time, this could lead to weakened muscles and reduced mobility
• Neglecting a Ligament Sprain: Neglecting a ligament sprain can cause greater instability in the joint. Over time, this instability may lead to gradual degeneration of the surrounding bones and persistent pain

What are the long-term consequences of not getting treatment?

Without treatment, you will find the injury leading to deeper problems and a lowered quality of life.

• Untreated Muscle Strain: Untreated strains can cause muscle atrophy. Your muscles could weaken and you could be less able to perform precise movements
• Untreated Ligament Sprain: Without proper care, sprains can lead to chronic joint instability. Joint instability makes it harder to bear weight or maintain balance

When is it urgent to get care?

It’s essential to seek care immediately if you experience the following symptoms:

• Urgent Muscle Strain Symptoms: Severe pain during active movement, inability to use the affected muscle, or visible swelling and bruising
• Urgent Ligament Sprain Symptoms: Noticeable instability in the joint, severe pain with movement, or swelling that doesn’t improve with rest and ice

Faster and more effective recovery comes from getting help as soon as possible. With proper care, you'll be able to return to your daily activities without long-term complications.

How do chiropractors diagnose muscle strains and ligament sprains?

We differentiate between muscle strains and ligament sprains with a few trusted techniques:

• Tests and Evaluations: these include orthopedic tests, range of motion tests, muscle tests, and palpation
• Imaging: We request X-rays to rule out fractures and MRIs to assess the extent of tissue damage
• Assessing active vs. passive movement: Muscle strains tend to manifest with pain during active movements, while sprains manifest with instability and pain during passive joint movements

How do chiropractors help strains and sprains heal?

Treatments for a muscle strain or a ligament sprain are a bit different. We'll likely use some of the following techniques, based on your specific condition:

Muscle Strain Treatments

• Myofascial release to relieve trigger points and reduce tension in your muscles
• Specific exercises to address your weak areas and to help you strengthen the affected muscles
• Chiropractic adjustments to calm your nervous system, promote healing, and encourage improved joint function

Ligament Sprain Treatments

• Techniques for improving your joint stability and mobility
• Chiropractic adjustments to help reduce inflammation and support your recovery
• Gradual strength-building exercises to restore your joint function and help you feel stable again

Why choose chiropractic for a strain or a sprain?

Acute injury care, followed by maintenance care, can help you move more freely and comfortably.

Benefits include:

• Reduced stress and frustration caused by pain and injury
• Injury prevention
• Returning to work faster
• Remaining pain-free
• Performing your best without restrictions

What can you do to prevent further sprain and strain related injuries?

There is a lot you can do to decrease your chances of straining a muscle or spraining a ligament.

Consider lifestyle changes and modifications

• Manual Laborers can use ergonomic tools, practice proper lifting techniques, and incorporate functional strength exercises
• Tech Workers can use ergonomic workstations, alternate between sitting and standing, and actively move more often
• Seniors can focus on balance exercises, posture awareness, and low-impact activities
• Active Parents can stay strong and flexible: regularly exercise, practice good body mechanics, and wear proper footwear
• Athletes can make sure they are balancing their conditioning with activities that keep their muscles and joints running smoothly. They also must include proper rest intervals to avoid overuse injuries

Regularly exercise and stretch

• Strengthen your core, legs, and arms for better stability and mobility
• Incorporate regular stretching to improve flexibility

Pay attention to early warning signs

• Localized pain, stiffness, or swelling during specific movements
• Persistent muscle tightness or decreased range of motion
• Pain after rest, difficulty walking, or joint swelling

By addressing these symptoms early and practicing proper care, you can recover faster and avoid long term complications.

Think a strain or sprain is slowing you down?

Whether you’re dealing with sharp pain, swelling, or limited mobility, we’re here to help you get back to life.

Our highly skilled chiropractors in Aptos specialize in treating injuries and supporting long term recovery.

You can easily schedule your appointment online to feel better faster.