Is it a sprain or a strain and what’s the difference? Well let me tell you.

Sprains and strains are common injuries that can occur during exercise, heavy lifting, accidents, and daily physical activities. These two injuries are often confused for one another, but there is a difference. A sprain is a stretch or tears in a ligament, while a strain is a stretched or torn tendon or muscle. 

So how can you actually tell if you have a sprain or a strain? Pay attention to your symptoms, the main difference is that a sprain usually causes bruising near the affected area, while a strain leads to muscle spasms. Both sprains and strains can cause painful swelling as well as less flexibility and disruptions to your range of motion.

If you’re suffering from pain but still not sure if it’s a sprain or a strain, a chiropractor can diagnose these injuries, which often affect the back, wrist, thumb, knee, and ankle joints. They may need to request an X-ray or MRI to rule out any broken bones before recommending rest, ice, compression, and elevation.

If your back pain persists you really should consider seeing a doctor. You really do not want the pain to get worse.