Conditions We Treat
Whether you've pulled a muscle at the gym, twisted an ankle on a trail run or woken up with a sharp pain after an awkward movement, soft tissue injuries are among the most common reasons people walk through our door. Muscle strains and ligament sprains can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that significantly limits your ability to move and function.
A strain is damage to a muscle or tendon, while a sprain is damage to a ligament. The most commonly strained muscles include the hamstrings, quadriceps, calf muscles and lower back. Sprains most frequently affect the ankle, knee and wrist. Both injuries are graded from 1 (mild, with microscopic fibre tears) to 3 (a complete rupture). The majority of cases we see fall in the grade 1 to 2 range and respond well to conservative treatment.
The approach to soft tissue injury management has evolved significantly. The traditional RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation) has been replaced by the PEACE & LOVE framework. In the acute phase, we focus on protection, elevation, avoiding anti-inflammatories, compression and education. In the subacute phase, the emphasis shifts to optimism, vascularisation through gentle movement, exercise and gradual loading. A 2020 editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine outlined this updated approach, which reflects the current evidence on tissue healing.
One of the most important findings in sports medicine over the past decade is that early, controlled loading of injured tissue produces better outcomes than prolonged rest. Complete immobilisation delays healing and leads to muscle wasting, joint stiffness and altered movement patterns. We aim to get patients moving safely as early as possible while respecting the healing timeline.
Treatment includes soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle guarding, joint mobilisation where stiffness has developed and a progressive exercise programme that gradually increases the load on the healing tissue. We also address any biomechanical factors that may have contributed to the injury in the first place.
Our approach focuses on getting you moving safely and recovering fully. We combine hands-on treatment with evidence-based rehabilitation to restore strength, flexibility and confidence in the injured area.
Located on Rivonia Road in Morningside, we serve patients from Sandton, Bryanston, Fourways, Randburg and surrounding areas.
Book an appointment at our Sandton practice and let us help you recover properly.
Yes. Chiropractors are well equipped to assess and manage acute soft tissue injuries including muscle strains and ligament sprains. Treatment includes soft tissue therapy, joint mobilisation and guided rehabilitation to restore full function and prevent recurrence.
A strain involves damage to a muscle or its tendon, while a sprain involves damage to a ligament (the tissue connecting bones at a joint). Both result from excessive force, but they affect different structures. Strains are more common in muscles like the hamstrings and lower back, while sprains frequently occur at the ankle, knee and wrist.
Current evidence has moved away from the traditional RICE protocol. The updated PEACE & LOVE framework recommends protecting the injury initially, avoiding anti-inflammatory medications in the first 48 hours and then gradually loading the tissue to promote healing. Gentle movement is generally preferred over prolonged rest.
Grade 1 (mild) strains typically heal within 1 to 3 weeks. Grade 2 (moderate) strains take 3 to 8 weeks. Grade 3 (complete) tears may require several months and sometimes surgical intervention. Early treatment and progressive rehabilitation can significantly reduce recovery time for grade 1 and 2 injuries.
Seek professional assessment if you heard or felt a pop at the time of injury, if there is significant swelling or bruising, if you cannot bear weight or use the affected limb normally, or if pain has not improved after a few days of self-care. Early assessment helps rule out more serious injury and gets recovery started sooner.
