Sports Injuries and How El Paso Back Clinic Heals Athletes

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Sports and physical activity are part of everyday life in El Paso. From running and weight training to football, soccer, and basketball, people of all ages stay active year-round. While this active lifestyle is healthy, it also leads to a high number of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries—especially when combined with the region’s heat, rough ground, and uneven terrain.

At El Paso Back Clinic, sports injury care focuses on restoring spinal alignment, joint mobility, muscle balance, and overall movement quality. When chiropractic care is combined with nurse practitioner (NP) support, athletes receive complete, coordinated care that promotes healing, performance, and long-term injury prevention.

Clinical observations from Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, show that athletes recover more efficiently when spine health, joint mechanics, muscle function, and medical oversight are addressed together rather than separately.

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Why Sports Injuries Are So Common in El Paso

El Paso presents unique physical challenges for athletes and active individuals. The environment itself can increase stress on the musculoskeletal system.

Common contributing factors include:

• High temperatures, which increase fatigue and dehydration

• Hard and uneven surfaces, stressing feet, ankles, knees, and hips

• Year-round activity, limiting rest and recovery

• High-impact sports, such as football and basketball

• Repetitive movement patterns, common in running and training

When the spine and joints are not moving properly, the body compensates. Over time, these compensations increase injury risk and slow healing (NIAMS, n.d.).

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Common Sports-Related Musculoskeletal Injuries Seen in El Paso

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are among the most frequently treated injuries at El Paso Back Clinic.

• Sprains affect ligaments

• Strains affect muscles or tendons

Common areas include:

• Ankles

• Knees

• Hamstrings

• Lower back

These injuries often occur during quick movements, twisting, jumping, or improper warm-ups (Orthospine Centers, n.d.).

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Knee Injuries (ACL, Meniscus, Runner’s and Jumper’s Knee)

Knee injuries are especially common in sports that involve cutting, jumping, or sudden stops.

Typical knee problems include:

• ACL tears

• Meniscus tears

• Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee)

• Runner’s knee

Misalignment in the spine, hips, or feet can increase stress on the knee joint, making chiropractic care an important part of recovery (Spectrum Therapy Consultants, n.d.).

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Tendonitis and Overuse Injuries

Tendonitis develops when tendons are repeatedly stressed without enough recovery.

Common forms include:

• Tennis elbow

• Golfer’s elbow

• Achilles tendonitis

• Patellar tendonitis

These injuries often worsen slowly and are common in athletes who push through pain (Woodlands Sports Medicine, n.d.).

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Shin Splints and Stress Fractures

Lower-leg injuries are common in runners and field athletes.

These include:

• Shin splints

• Foot stress fractures

• Tibial stress injuries

Hard surfaces, worn footwear, and poor biomechanics increase the risk of these injuries (CTX Foot & Ankle, n.d.).

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Hip Labral Tears

Hip labral tears affect the cartilage that stabilizes the hip joint.

Common symptoms include:

• Deep hip or groin pain

• Clicking or locking sensations

• Reduced range of motion

These injuries are common among athletes who frequently twist, pivot, or sprint (Texas Spine Clinic, n.d.).

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Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries often occur in athletes who lift, throw, or absorb contact.

Common issues include:

• Rotator cuff strains or tears

• Shoulder impingement

• Joint instability

Shoulder pain is often linked to spinal and postural imbalances that chiropractic care addresses (Marque Medical, n.d.).

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Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints among athletes.

Contributing factors include:

• Muscle strain

• Core weakness

• Poor posture

• Spinal joint restrictions

When spinal alignment is compromised, nerve irritation such as sciatica may occur (Marque Medical, n.d.).

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How Chiropractic Care at El Paso Back Clinic Helps Sports Injuries

Chiropractic care at El Paso Back Clinic focuses on restoring proper motion to the spine and joints. This allows the nervous system, muscles, and joints to work together efficiently.

Chiropractic treatment may include:

• Spinal adjustments

• Extremity joint adjustments (knees, hips, ankles, shoulders)

• Soft-tissue therapy

• Mobility and flexibility work

• Postural correction

Improving alignment reduces stress on injured tissues and supports natural healing (Vista Hills Chiropractic, n.d.).

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Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Athletes

Athletes receiving chiropractic care often experience:

• Reduced pain and stiffness

• Improved joint mobility

• Better balance and coordination

• Faster recovery times

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• Lower risk of repeat injuries

Clinical experience shows that addressing spinal alignment early improves outcomes across many sports injuries (Jimenez, n.d.).

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The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Integrated Sports Injury Care

Nurse practitioners (NPs) play an important role in sports injury management by providing medical oversight and coordination of care.

NPs may assist by:

• Performing initial evaluations

• Ordering diagnostic imaging (X-ray, MRI)

• Managing pain and inflammation

• Coordinating physical therapy

• Monitoring healing progress

This medical support ensures injuries are accurately diagnosed and treated safely (NIAMS, n.d.).

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Functional and Preventive Approach to Recovery

NPs often use a functional approach that looks beyond the injured area.

This includes evaluating:

• Movement patterns

• Training load

• Nutrition and hydration

• Sleep and recovery habits

• Inflammation levels

Addressing these factors helps athletes heal fully and return stronger.

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Coordinated Care: Chiropractic, NP, and Rehabilitation

One of the strengths of El Paso Back Clinic is coordinated care. Chiropractic care and NP oversight work together with rehabilitation to create a clear recovery plan.

A coordinated plan may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments for alignment

• Rehabilitation exercises for strength and stability

• Medical monitoring for healing progress

• Gradual return-to-sport planning

This team-based approach improves outcomes and reduces setbacks (Southwest Chiropractors, n.d.).

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PRP Therapy and Advanced Recovery Options

For certain injuries, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may be recommended.

PRP may support healing for:

• Tendon injuries

• Ligament sprains

• Knee injuries

• Early osteoarthritis

NPs evaluate whether PRP is appropriate and coordinate care alongside chiropractic treatment and rehabilitation (Desert Institute of Sports Medicine, n.d.).

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Clinical Example: Knee Injury Recovery at El Paso Back Clinic

Based on clinical observations from Dr. Jimenez, a typical knee injury recovery plan may include:

1. NP evaluation to diagnose the injury

2. Imaging to assess ligament or cartilage damage

3. Chiropractic care to improve spinal, hip, and knee alignment

4. Rehabilitation exercises to restore strength and stability

5. PRP therapy, when appropriate

6. Performance monitoring to prevent re-injury

This integrated approach supports long-term joint health and athletic performance.

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Preventing Future Sports Injuries

Prevention is a major focus at El Paso Back Clinic.

Key strategies include:

• Proper warm-ups and mobility work

• Strengthening core and stabilizing muscles

• Maintaining hydration in hot conditions

• Correcting posture and movement patterns

• Allowing adequate recovery time

Chiropractic and NP care help identify small problems before they become serious injuries (Texas Children’s Hospital, n.d.).

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Long-Term Benefits of Integrated Sports Injury Care

Athletes who receive integrated care often experience:

• Faster recovery

• Fewer recurring injuries

• Improved flexibility and strength

• Better overall performance

• Greater confidence in movement

Treating the spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system together leads to a more complete recovery.

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Conclusion

Sports injuries are common in El Paso due to the climate, terrain, and high levels of physical activity. Injuries such as sprains, strains, knee injuries, tendonitis, back pain, and stress fractures can limit performance if not treated properly.

At El Paso Back Clinic, chiropractic care restores alignment and mobility, while nurse practitioners provide diagnostics, medical oversight, and coordinated treatment options. Together, this approach supports full recovery, injury prevention, and long-term performance.

Clinical experience from Dr. Alexander Jimenez shows that athletes recover best when care focuses on the whole musculoskeletal system—not just the painful area.

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References

El Paso Center Family & Sports Medicine. (n.d.). Musculoskeletal injuries. https://www.elpasocenterfamilyandsportsmed.com/services/musculoskeletal-injuries

Orthospine Centers. (n.d.). Understanding common sports injuries. https://orthospinecenters.com/understanding-common-spring-sports-injuries-prevention-techniques-and-the-role-of-the-musculoskeletal-system/

Spectrum Therapy Consultants. (n.d.). Sports injuries and physical therapy. https://spectrumtherapyconsultants.com/physical-therapy-services/sports-injuries/

Texas Spine Clinic. (n.d.). Sports injuries. https://www.texasspineclinic.com/sports-injuries/

Gonzalez, C. (n.d.). Sports medicine in El Paso. https://www.carlosgonzalezmd.com/sports-medicine-el-paso.html

Texas Children’s Hospital. (n.d.). Most common sports injuries. https://www.texaschildrens.org/content/wellness/most-common-sports-injuries

NIAMS. (n.d.). Sports injuries. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries

Marque Medical. (n.d.). Most common sports injuries. https://marquemedical.com/most-common-sports-injuries-by-vanessa-fitzgerald/

Woodlands Sports Medicine. (n.d.). Common sports injuries. https://www.woodlandssportsmedicine.com/blog/6-common-sports-injuries

CTX Foot & Ankle. (n.d.). Top sports injury diagnoses. https://www.ctxfootankle.com/top-sport-injury-diagnoses/

Vista Hills Chiropractic. (n.d.). Sports injury chiropractic care. https://www.vistahillschiropracticelpasotx.com/sports-injury

Desert Institute of Sports Medicine. (n.d.). PRP therapy services. https://desertinstituteep.com/services-1

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Clinical insights. https://dralexjimenez.com/