Sports Injuries in El Paso and Team Recovery Strategies

Sports and physical activity are a major part of life in El Paso. With year-round sunshine, strong school and community sports programs, and a culture that values movement, many people regularly participate in running, football, soccer, basketball, weight training, and outdoor fitness. While staying active has many benefits, it also increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries—especially when heat, hard ground, and uneven terrain are added to the mix.

In El Paso, common sports injuries often affect the joints, muscles, tendons, and spine. These injuries can range from mild strains to more serious ligament tears or stress fractures. Recovery is often most effective when care is coordinated between chiropractic providers and nurse practitioners (NPs), who together address structure, pain control, diagnostics, rehabilitation, and long-term performance.

According to Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP-A4M, and the Desert Institute of Sports Medicine, athletes recover best when spinal alignment, joint mechanics, soft-tissue healing, and medical oversight are integrated into a coordinated plan.

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Why Sports Injuries Are Common in El Paso

El Paso athletes face unique challenges that increase injury risk. High temperatures, dry air, and hard surfaces can place extra stress on muscles and joints. Dehydration and fatigue may also reduce coordination and reaction time, increasing the chance of injury.

Common contributing factors include:

• Heat-related muscle fatigue and cramping

• Hard or uneven training surfaces

• Repetitive movements without enough recovery

• Sudden increases in training intensity

• Poor flexibility or joint mobility

• Prior injuries that were never fully rehabilitated

These factors help explain why sprains, strains, tendon injuries, and joint problems are frequently seen in local clinics (NIAMS, n.d.; Orthospine Centers, n.d.).

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Sprains and Strains: The Most Frequent Sports Injuries

Sprains and strains are the most common musculoskeletal injuries seen in athletes of all ages. Although often considered “minor,” they can become chronic if not treated properly.

Common Areas Affected

• Ankles (rolling or twisting injuries)

• Knees (sudden stops or direction changes)

• Hamstrings (sprinting or jumping)

• Lower back (lifting, rotation, or overuse)

A sprain affects ligaments, while a strain affects muscles or tendons. Pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced movement are common symptoms (Texas Spine Clinic, n.d.; Carlos Gonzalez, MD, n.d.).

How Integrative Care Helps

• Chiropractic adjustments improve joint motion and spinal alignment

• NPs evaluate pain levels and order imaging if needed

• Physical therapy restores strength and flexibility

• Education focuses on proper warm-up and movement mechanics

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Knee Injuries: ACL, Meniscus, and Overuse Conditions

Knee injuries are especially common in sports like football, basketball, and soccer. Sudden pivots, jumping, and contact increase stress on the knee joint.

Common Knee Conditions

• ACL tears

• Meniscus tears

• Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain)

• Jumper’s knee (patellar tendonitis)

These injuries can cause instability, swelling, and difficulty returning to sport (Spectrum Therapy Consultants, n.d.; Utah Health, 2021).

Integrated Treatment Approach

• NPs perform initial evaluations and coordinate imaging

• Chiropractic care addresses hip, spine, and knee mechanics

• Physical therapy rebuilds strength and balance

• PRP may be used to support tissue healing when appropriate

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Tendonitis: Elbow, Achilles, and Overuse Injuries

Tendonitis develops when repetitive stress irritates a tendon. It is common in athletes who repeat the same movements without enough rest.

Frequently Seen Types

• Tennis elbow

• Golfer’s elbow

• Achilles tendonitis

• Patellar tendonitis

Symptoms include pain with movement, stiffness, and reduced grip or push-off strength (Woodlands Sports Medicine, n.d.; Spectrum Therapy Consultants, n.d.).

Treatment Focus

• Reducing inflammation and mechanical stress

• Improving joint alignment and movement patterns

• Gradual strengthening under professional guidance

Chiropractic care reduces abnormal stress on tendons, while NPs manage inflammation and guide rehabilitation timing.

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Shin Splints and Stress Fractures

Running places repetitive impact on the lower legs and feet. Shin splints and stress fractures often develop when training volume increases too quickly.

Risk Factors

• Hard training surfaces

• Poor footwear

• Muscle imbalances

• Inadequate recovery

Early diagnosis is important. NPs may order imaging to rule out fractures, while chiropractic care addresses biomechanics that contribute to overloading (CTX Foot & Ankle, n.d.; El Paso Center Family & Sports Medicine, n.d.).

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Hip Tears and Rotator Cuff Injuries

Hip and shoulder injuries often affect athletes involved in rotational or overhead sports.

Hip Labral Tears

• Common in soccer and running athletes

• Cause deep hip pain, clicking, or stiffness

Rotator Cuff Disorders

• Common in basketball and weight training

• Cause shoulder pain and weakness

Correcting spinal, pelvic, and shoulder alignment is key to reducing stress on these joints. NPs oversee diagnostics and guide care decisions when advanced treatments are needed (Marque Medical, n.d.; NIAMS, n.d.).

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Lower Back Injuries in Athletes

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints in sports medicine. Poor core stability, repetitive bending, and spinal misalignment all contribute.

Common Causes

• Muscle strains

• Disc irritation

• Facet joint stress

• Poor hip mobility

Chiropractic spinal adjustments improve movement and nerve function, while NPs manage pain, imaging, and return-to-play decisions (West Texas Chiropractic, n.d.; Vista Hills Chiropractic, n.d.).

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How Chiropractic Care Supports Sports Recovery

Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper joint motion, spinal alignment, and neuromuscular control. This helps the body heal more efficiently and move with less stress.

Benefits Include

• Improved joint mobility

• Reduced muscle tension

• Better posture and movement patterns

• Enhanced nervous system communication

Athletes often report faster recovery and improved performance when chiropractic care is part of their plan (WCLARock DC, n.d.; Southwest Chiropractors, n.d.).

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The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Sports Injury Care

Nurse practitioners play a critical role in integrative sports medicine by providing medical oversight and coordination.

NP Responsibilities

• Initial diagnosis and functional assessment

• Ordering imaging and lab tests

• Managing pain and inflammation

• Coordinating physical therapy and PRP

• Monitoring recovery and performance goals

This medical perspective ensures injuries are fully understood and safely managed (Carlos Gonzalez, MD, n.d.; Texas Spine Clinic, n.d.).

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Coordinated Care: A Real-World Example

An athlete with a knee injury may experience pain, swelling, and reduced performance. In an integrated setting:

• The NP evaluates the injury and orders imaging

• Chiropractic adjustments improve joint alignment

• Physical therapy rebuilds strength and stability

• PRP may be used to support healing

• Progress is monitored as a team

According to Dr. Jimenez, this coordinated approach reduces setbacks and helps athletes return stronger and more resilient (Jimenez, n.d.).

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Injury Prevention and Long-Term Performance

Preventing re-injury is just as important as healing. Integrated care emphasizes:

• Proper warm-up and recovery routines

• Strength and mobility balance

• Ongoing spinal and joint assessments

• Education on training load and technique

This approach supports longevity in sport and everyday activity (NIAMS, n.d.; Orthospine Centers, n.d.).

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Conclusion

Sports injuries are common in El Paso due to high levels of physical activity, heat, and strenuous demands. Sprains, strains, knee injuries, tendonitis, back pain, and stress fractures affect athletes across all sports. Recovery is most effective when chiropractic care and nurse practitioners work together to address structure, function, and medical needs.

By combining spinal alignment, rehabilitation, diagnostics, and advanced therapies like PRP, integrative care helps athletes heal fully, perform better, and reduce future injury risk—supporting long-term health and active living.

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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/

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

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). (n.d.). Sports injuries.
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries

University of Utah Health. (2021). Top sports injuries.
https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2021/11/top-5-most-common-sport-injuries

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

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

West Texas Chiropractic. (n.d.). Sports and chiropractic care.
https://www.westtexaschiropractic.com/treatments/sports-and-chiropractic/

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Clinical insights and integrative sports care.
https://dralexjimenez.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/