Bone Stress Injuries and Fractures

We are well aware of the merits of an active lifestyle, but we sometimes fail to recognize the need to take a break when we experience discomfort. Too much exercising can overexert the body leading to complications such as stress fractures. This can develop gradually even without you realizing it till it’s too late. These injuries are most common in the weight bearing bones of the lower leg and foot. Stress injuries result in pain that intensifies during workout and dissipates during rest.

Stress fractures represent the inability of a bone to withstand repetitive mechanical loading without sufficient rest time, resulting in greater bone break down and does not allow optimal time for recovery or new bone formation, and potentially result in a full fracture. Stress fractures are commonly found in the lower extremity as a result of the impact and weight- bearing activities. The amount or intensity of an activity too quickly increases risk of stress fractures. Risk of stress fractures include:

• High impact sports including repetitive activity such as long distance running, basketball, gymnastics and dance
• Sudden increase in the intensity, duration and frequency of activity
• People with flat feet or high rigid arches
• Weakened bone due to osteoporosis
• Had a previous stress fracture
• Lack of nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium

Pain is an indicator of stress fracture initially but tends to worsen overtime. Initially, tenderness starts at a specific spot and decreases during rest followed by swelling around the area. Other symptoms include:

• “Pinpoint pain” when touched on the bone
• Pain worsens after starting an activity and might now resolve after activity
• Pain occurs while at rest, during normal activity, or with everyday walking
• Pain worsening with hopping on one leg
• Pain while shifting weight on affected leg or foot

Sports injury treatment

Sometimes people push themselves to the max point of making the body too vulnerable. Chiropractic treatment such as spinal adjustment and massage therapy may assist soft tissues to communicate optimally with bone. The chiropractor will continually monitor any vulnerable areas. By combining regular chiropractic adjustments and remedial massage therapy may reduce your risk of any bone stress injuries.

Workplace modification

Some workplace are constantly involved in lifting which put people at risk for stress fractures. A sedentary lifestyle along with weight bearing work increases the risk of bone stress injuries. By modifying your workplace, not only it helps reducing your risk for stress fractures, but also improving your lifestyle.

Chiropractic treatments

By correcting any spinal misalignments and restoring the normal motion of the spine, chiropractic care can help reduce pain and improve function. Chiropractic treatment may include spinal adjustments, massage therapy, exercise programs, and other forms of physical therapy. A chiropractic adjustment involves the use of hands-on techniques to adjust the spine. Chiropractors may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. This assists relieve pain, improve function, and prevent future injury from stress fractures in the body.

Here at Lakeside Chiropractic, not only do our chiropractors help with treating bone Stress injuries and fractures, they can also relieve pain, improve range of motion, and help prevent further injuries occurring. If you experience any signs or symptoms, call us on 9300 0095 to book an appointment or visit our website at www.lakesidechiro.com.au for more details.