Sports Injuries
 

Recover Stronger and Return to the Activities You Love

Sports injuries can affect training, performance, work, and everyday movement. Whether the problem developed suddenly or gradually from overuse, effective recovery requires more than simply waiting for pain to disappear.

At Performance and Recovery Clinic, we help athletes and active adults recover with a combination of sports chiropractic care, focused shockwave therapy, manual therapy, rehabilitation, and recovery technology. Your plan is built around your injury, activity demands, goals, and stage of recovery.
 

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Common Sports Injuries We Treat

Sports injuries may involve the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, or movement patterns that support performance.

Common conditions include:

• Sprains and strains

• Tendon pain and overuse injuries

• Shoulder and rotator cuff injuries

• Knee pain and patellar tendon irritation

• Ankle and foot injuries

• Achilles and plantar fascia pain

• Hip and groin pain

• Tennis and golfer’s elbow

• Low back and neck pain

• Cycling, running, skiing, and lifting injuries

• Return-to-sport limitations after a previous injury

Fractures, dislocations, severe trauma, and significant instability may require urgent imaging or medical referral before conservative treatment begins.
 

Acute and Overuse Injuries
 

Acute Injuries

Acute injuries occur suddenly and may follow a fall, collision, awkward landing, rapid change of direction, or lifting incident.

Symptoms may include:

• Sudden pain

• Swelling or bruising

• Reduced movement

• Muscle guarding

• Difficulty bearing weight

• Loss of strength or confidence
   

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries develop gradually when training load exceeds the body’s current ability to recover and adapt.

These injuries commonly affect tendons, muscles, joints, and connective tissues and may worsen with repeated running, jumping, skiing, cycling, throwing, lifting, or gripping.

Effective care should address both the painful tissue and the training, mobility, strength, or movement factors contributing to repeated irritation.
 

How We Evaluate Sports Injuries

Your assessment may include:

• Injury history and symptom behavior

• Joint mobility and stability

• Strength and muscle activation

• Orthopedic testing

• Balance and single-leg control

• Squat, hinge, lunge, gait, or running analysis

• Sport-specific movement assessment

• Training load and recovery habits

• Review of available imaging or medical records

The goal is to determine what is injured, how it is affecting movement, and what needs to improve before you safely return to full activity.
 

Our Treatment Approach

Treatment depends on the type of injury, stage of healing, sport, and individual goals.
 

Sports Chiropractic Care

Adjustments and joint mobilization may be used to improve movement through the spine and extremities when joint restriction is contributing to pain or altered mechanics.

Care may involve the:

• Spine and pelvis

• Shoulders and elbows

• Hips and knees

• Ankles and feet

• Ribs and upper back
   

Focused Shockwave Therapy

Focused shockwave therapy may be appropriate for persistent tendon and soft tissue conditions, including certain cases of:

• Achilles tendinopathy

• Plantar fascia pain

• Patellar tendon pain

• Tennis or golfer’s elbow

• Rotator cuff-related pain

• Gluteal tendon irritation

• Chronic muscular or attachment-point pain

Shockwave is not appropriate for every injury and is used only when examination findings support it.
 

Manual Therapy

Soft tissue techniques may be used to reduce protective tension, improve mobility, and support movement around the injured area.
 

Exercise Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation helps restore strength, coordination, tissue tolerance, and confidence.

Programs may include:

• Early mobility and activation

• Progressive loading

• Neuromuscular re-education

• Balance and stability work

• Jumping, landing, or change-of-direction drills

• Running or gait progressions

• Sport-specific strength and movement

• Personalized home exercises
   

Recovery Technology

Laser therapy, PEMF, compression, and other supportive modalities may be included when appropriate. These tools support recovery but do not replace progressive rehabilitation and appropriate loading.
 

The Performance and Recovery Method

01 — Assess

We evaluate the injury, movement pattern, strength, mobility, training demands, and factors that may be delaying recovery.

02 — Treat

We use targeted chiropractic care, manual therapy, shockwave, and supportive modalities to reduce irritation and improve movement.

03 — Strengthen

Progressive rehabilitation rebuilds strength, stability, coordination, and tolerance for the demands of your sport.

04 — Maintain

Movement education, recovery strategies, digital resources, and periodic care help you maintain progress and reduce the risk of recurring problems.
 

Returning to Sport

Pain relief alone does not always mean an athlete is ready to return.

We look at several factors, including:

• Range of motion

• Strength

• Balance and control

• Ability to tolerate load

• Sport-specific movement

• Confidence

• Response to increased training

Depending on your activity, your plan may help you return to:

• Skiing and snowboarding

• Running and trail running

• Cycling and mountain biking

• Golf

• Soccer

• Strength training and CrossFit

• Hiking and climbing

• Tennis and pickleball

• Recreational and competitive sports

Return-to-sport progressions are based on function and tolerance rather than time alone.
 

When Additional Evaluation May Be Needed

Seek prompt medical evaluation for:

• Suspected fracture or dislocation

• Significant swelling or deformity

• Inability to bear weight

• Rapidly progressing weakness

• Loss of sensation

• Severe head injury symptoms

• Joint locking or major instability

• Symptoms following significant trauma

• Pain that is severe or rapidly worsening

We may recommend imaging or referral when the examination suggests that another provider or additional testing is needed.
 

Start Your Recovery

Every sports injury is different. A thorough assessment helps determine what is injured, what may be contributing to the problem, and which combination of treatment, rehabilitation, recovery services, or referral is most appropriate.
 

Book a New Patient Appointment
 

Performance and Recovery Clinic
100 Elk Run Drive, Unit 220
Basalt, Colorado 81621

Serving Basalt, Carbondale, Aspen, Snowmass Village, Glenwood Springs, and the Roaring Fork Valley.