Sports Injuries in El Paso and Integrated Care Options

Staying active is part of everyday life in El Paso. Many people participate in running, football, soccer, basketball, weight training, and outdoor fitness year-round. While regular activity improves health and performance, it also increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries—especially in a region with intense heat, hard ground, and demanding training schedules.

Sports injuries can affect the entire body, not just the injured area. When joints, muscles, or the spine are not working together properly, pain, stiffness, and reduced performance can follow. An integrated approach combining chiropractic care, nurse practitioner (NP) oversight, rehabilitation, and regenerative options helps athletes fully recover while reducing the risk of future problems.

This article explains the most common sports injuries seen in El Paso, why they occur, and how coordinated, whole-body care supports recovery—drawing on current evidence and the clinical observations of Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, in collaboration with the Desert Institute of Sports Medicine.

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Why Sports Injuries Are So Common in El Paso

Athletes and active individuals in El Paso face specific challenges that increase injury risk. These factors often work together and repeatedly stress the musculoskeletal system.

Common contributors include:

• High heat leading to fatigue and dehydration

• Hard or uneven terrain stresses the feet, knees, and hips

• Year-round outdoor training with limited rest periods

• Sports that involve sprinting, jumping, and quick direction changes

• Repetitive movements without adequate recovery

When muscles are tired or joints are not moving well, the body may compensate in unhealthy ways. Over time, this can lead to strains, joint irritation, and chronic pain patterns (NIAMS, n.d.; Orthospine Centers, n.d.).

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Most Common Musculoskeletal Sports Injuries in El Paso

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are among the most frequently treated sports injuries.

• Sprains involve ligaments that stabilize joints

• Strains affect muscles and tendons

They commonly affect:

• Ankles

• Knees

• Hamstrings

• Calves

• Lower back

These injuries often happen during sudden acceleration, pivoting, jumping, or awkward landings (Texas Spine Clinic, n.d.; Carlos Gonzalez, MD, n.d.).

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Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are especially common in soccer, football, basketball, and running.

Typical knee conditions include:

• ACL tears

• Meniscus tears

• Runner’s knee

• Jumper’s knee

Symptoms may include swelling, instability, pain with movement, or difficulty bearing weight. Poor hip or spinal mechanics often increase stress on the knee joint (Spectrum Therapy Consultants, n.d.; Healthcare Utah, 2021).

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Tendonitis and Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries develop gradually and are linked to repetitive stress without enough recovery time.

Common examples include:

• Tennis elbow

• Golfer’s elbow

• Achilles tendonitis

• Patellar tendonitis

Athletes may notice stiffness, soreness, or pain that worsens with activity. These injuries are often connected to muscle imbalances or faulty movement patterns (Woodlands Sports Medicine, n.d.; Marque Medical, n.d.).

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Shin Splints and Stress Fractures

Running and jumping sports place repeated loads on the lower legs.

• Shin splints cause pain along the shin bone

• Stress fractures are small cracks in the bone caused by overuse

These injuries are common when training intensity increases too quickly or when footwear and biomechanics are not ideal (CTX Foot & Ankle, n.d.; NIAMS, n.d.).

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Hip Injuries

Hip injuries are increasingly seen in active adults and competitive athletes.

Common hip-related issues include:

• Hip labral tears

• Hip flexor strains

• Hip instability

Hip dysfunction can affect the knees, pelvis, and spine, leading to widespread movement problems if not addressed early (El Paso Center Family & Sports Medicine, n.d.).

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Shoulder and Upper Body Injuries

Sports involving throwing, lifting, or overhead motion place heavy demands on the shoulders.

Common injuries include:

• Rotator cuff strains or tears

• Shoulder impingement

• Labral injuries

Pain, weakness, and reduced range of motion are common complaints, especially when spinal posture and shoulder mechanics are unbalanced (Vista Hills Chiropractic, n.d.; West Texas Chiropractic, n.d.).

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How Chiropractic Care Supports Sports Injury Recovery

Chiropractic care focuses on improving joint alignment, spinal motion, and nervous system function. When the body moves correctly, injured tissues experience less stress and can heal more efficiently.

Key benefits of chiropractic care for sports injuries include:

• Restoring normal joint motion

• Reducing abnormal muscle tension

• Improving posture and movement efficiency

• Enhancing flexibility and coordination

• Supporting nervous system balance

By addressing the spine, hips, and extremities together, chiropractic care helps prevent compensation patterns that can lead to reinjury (Southwest Chiropractors, n.d.; WCLARock DC, n.d.).

Chiropractors also guide patients through:

• Corrective exercises

• Mobility and flexibility programs

• Neuromuscular re-education

• Gradual return-to-activity plans

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The Role of Nurse Practitioners in Integrated Sports Care

Nurse practitioners play a critical role in comprehensive sports injury management. They bridge the gap between musculoskeletal care and medical oversight.

NPs commonly assist by:

• Performing thorough evaluations and diagnoses

• Ordering imaging such as X-rays or MRIs

• Managing inflammation and pain safely

• Coordinating physical therapy or regenerative care

• Addressing nutrition, sleep, and recovery habits

This whole-person approach ensures that healing is supported at every level—not just at the injury site (A4M, n.d.; Texas Children’s Hospital, n.d.).

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Why Integrated Care Matters for Active Individuals

Injury recovery is rarely one-dimensional. Joint alignment, muscle strength, nervous system control, and tissue healing all work together.

Integrated care often includes:

• Chiropractic adjustments for alignment and mobility

• NP-led medical evaluation and treatment planning

• Physical therapy for strength, balance, and endurance

• Functional medicine strategies to support recovery

• Advanced interventions when conservative care is not enough

This coordinated approach improves outcomes and reduces long-term complications (NIAMS, n.d.; Orthospine Centers, n.d.).

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Example: Coordinated Care for a Knee Injury

A knee injury provides a clear example of how integrated care works in real life.

Step 1: NP Evaluation

• Clinical exam and diagnosis

• Imaging if needed

• Pain and inflammation management

Step 2: Chiropractic Care

• Spinal, hip, and knee alignment

• Improved biomechanics during movement

• Reduced joint stress

Step 3: Rehabilitation

• Physical therapy focused on strength and stability

• Balance and neuromuscular training

• Gradual return to sport

Step 4: Regenerative Support (When Appropriate)

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy

• Ongoing monitoring and adjustments

According to Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, coordinating these steps helps athletes heal more completely while lowering the risk of reinjury and performance decline (Desert Institute of Sports Medicine, n.d.).

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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in Sports Injuries

PRP therapy uses concentrated platelets from a person’s own blood to support tissue repair.

PRP is commonly used for:

• Chronic tendonitis

• Ligament sprains

• Knee injuries

• Early joint degeneration

PRP is most effective when combined with proper alignment, rehabilitation, and load management rather than used alone (Desert Institute EP, n.d.).

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Preventing Future Sports Injuries

Recovery should always include prevention planning. Integrated care helps identify weaknesses and movement issues before they lead to new injuries.

Key prevention strategies include:

• Proper warm-ups and mobility work

• Strengthening stabilizing muscles

• Improving joint alignment and posture

• Managing training volume and recovery

• Staying hydrated and fueling properly

• Allowing adequate rest between sessions

Addressing the body as a connected system supports long-term health and performance (El Paso Center Family & Sports Medicine, n.d.; Marque Medical, n.d.).

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A Whole-Body Approach to Staying Active in El Paso

Sports injuries affect more than just one joint or muscle. They influence how the entire body moves, adapts, and performs. Integrated chiropractic and nurse practitioner care focuses on restoring balance, movement quality, and resilience.

By combining spinal and joint care, medical oversight, rehabilitation, and regenerative options, active individuals can recover with confidence and reduce the risk of recurring problems. This approach supports not only healing but also long-term performance and mobility.

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References

• A4M. (n.d.). Alex Jimenez Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic – El Paso, TX. https://www.a4m.com/alex-jimenez-injury-medical-amp-chiropractic-clinic-el-paso-tx.html

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

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

• Desert Institute EP. (n.d.). PRP therapy services. https://desertinstituteep.com/services-1

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

• Healthcare Utah. (2021). Top 5 most common sport injuries. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2021/11/top-5-most-common-sport-injuries

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

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

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

• Southwest Chiropractors. (n.d.). Sports injury treatment. https://southwestchiropractors.com/service/sports-injury-treatment/

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

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

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

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

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

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