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5 Common Soccer Injuries

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How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Soccer requires speed, balance, endurance, coordination, and frequent changes in direction. Players sprint, stop suddenly, pivot, jump, and compete for the ball, often while another player is attempting to do exactly the same thing.

It is an excellent sport for physical fitness, but the repetitive movements and unpredictable contact can place considerable stress on the muscles and joints.

Soccer injuries can happen suddenly during a tackle or awkward landing. They can also develop gradually when small problems are ignored and training continues without enough recovery.

Here are five common soccer injuries and some of the ways chiropractic care may support recovery.

1. Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains are among the most common soccer injuries.

They often occur when a player lands awkwardly, steps on another player’s foot, or rolls the ankle while changing direction. The ligaments surrounding the ankle may become stretched or torn, resulting in pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking.

Some ankle sprains improve quickly, while others can lead to ongoing stiffness, instability, or repeated injuries.

Treatment may include:

  • Reducing pain and swelling
  • Restoring ankle mobility
  • Improving balance and stability
  • Strengthening the muscles supporting the ankle
  • Gradually returning to running and sport-specific movements

A chiropractor can assess the ankle as well as the foot, knee, hip, and overall movement pattern. This is important because an ankle injury can change how a player walks and runs, placing additional stress elsewhere in the body.

2. Hamstring Strains

The hamstrings are the muscles located along the back of the thigh. They are heavily involved in sprinting, accelerating, and kicking.

A hamstring strain can occur during a sudden burst of speed or when a player reaches for the ball with the leg extended. Symptoms may include sharp pain, tenderness, weakness, bruising, or difficulty running.

Hamstring injuries have a reputation for returning when players resume competition before strength and mobility have fully recovered.

Care may focus on:

  • Improving hip and pelvic mobility
  • Reducing tension in surrounding muscles
  • Gradually restoring hamstring strength
  • Assessing running and movement mechanics
  • Developing a progressive return-to-play plan

Simply waiting for the pain to disappear may not address the weakness or movement limitation that contributed to the injury.

3. Groin Strains

The groin muscles help stabilize the pelvis and move the leg inward. They are challenged during kicking, cutting, reaching, and rapid changes in direction.

A groin strain may cause pain along the inner thigh or near the pelvis. Symptoms are often worse when running, kicking, squeezing the legs together, or changing direction.

Groin discomfort should be assessed rather than casually assigned to the broad medical category known as “probably fine.”

Persistent groin pain may involve the muscles, tendons, hip joint, or surrounding structures.

Treatment may include:

  • Improving hip mobility
  • Addressing muscular tension
  • Restoring strength through the hips and pelvis
  • Modifying activity while the injury heals
  • Reintroducing kicking and cutting movements gradually

4. Knee Injuries

The knee absorbs considerable force during running, jumping, pivoting, and contact with other players.

Soccer players may experience ligament injuries, meniscus injuries, kneecap irritation, tendon pain, or general pain caused by overuse.

Warning signs that deserve assessment include:

  • Significant swelling
  • Locking or catching
  • A feeling that the knee is giving way
  • Inability to fully bend or straighten the knee
  • Difficulty bearing weight
  • Pain that continues to worsen

Chiropractic care may support some knee injuries by improving movement in the knee, hip, ankle, and surrounding muscles. More serious injuries may require imaging, medical assessment, or referral to another healthcare provider.

A proper assessment helps determine whether conservative care is appropriate or whether additional investigation is needed.

5. Low Back and Hip Pain

Soccer players repeatedly rotate, extend, sprint, kick, and absorb impact. These movements can contribute to discomfort in the lower back, pelvis, or hips.

Pain may develop following a collision or fall, but it can also build gradually from training volume, muscular fatigue, restricted hip mobility, or poor recovery.

Treatment may include:

  • Joint mobilization or adjustments when appropriate
  • Soft tissue therapy
  • Mobility exercises
  • Core and hip strengthening
  • Advice about training and recovery

The goal is not merely to reduce discomfort for a few hours. A useful treatment plan should also help restore movement and improve the player’s ability to tolerate the demands of the sport.

How Chiropractic Care May Help Soccer Players

Chiropractic care for a soccer injury begins with an assessment.

Depending on the injury, this may include examining:

  • Joint movement
  • Muscle strength
  • Balance
  • Range of motion
  • Neurological function
  • Walking, squatting, or other movement patterns

Treatment is then adapted to the injury and the player.

Care may include chiropractic adjustments, joint mobilization, soft tissue treatment, rehabilitation exercises, and recommendations for returning to activity.

Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every injury. When necessary, a chiropractor may recommend medical evaluation, diagnostic imaging, physiotherapy, or another form of care.

Do Not Ignore the Small Injuries

Many serious problems begin as manageable symptoms.

A mildly sore ankle becomes an unstable ankle. A tight hamstring becomes a strain. A small amount of knee pain becomes a problem that appears every time the player runs.

Early assessment can help identify what is irritated, what movement has been affected, and what changes may reduce the risk of the problem getting worse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I continue playing with a minor soccer injury?

That depends on the injury. Mild soreness that improves as you warm up may be manageable, but sharp pain, swelling, instability, weakness, or worsening symptoms should be assessed.

How soon should I see a chiropractor after an injury?

Seek care promptly if you cannot bear weight, have significant swelling, experience numbness or weakness, or suspect a serious injury. Less severe injuries should be assessed if they are not improving or are interfering with movement.

Can chiropractic care prevent all soccer injuries?

No treatment can prevent every injury. Chiropractic care may help identify movement restrictions, weakness, or recovery problems that could contribute to injury risk.

Will I need to stop playing?

Not always. Some injuries allow modified participation, while others require rest and rehabilitation. The decision should be based on the type and severity of the injury.

Soccer Injury Care in Edmonton

At Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic, we assess sports injuries and develop care plans based on your symptoms, movement, goals, and level of activity.

Whether you play recreational soccer, competitive soccer, or spend most of the match explaining to the referee what everyone else apparently failed to understand, we can help you determine the next appropriate step in your recovery.

Contact Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic in downtown Edmonton to schedule an assessment.

whiplash injury

Whiplash Injury

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Symptoms, Assessment and Treatment in Edmonton

A whiplash injury can change an ordinary day in a matter of seconds. You may step out of a vehicle feeling shaken but relatively comfortable, then notice neck stiffness, a headache, shoulder pain or restricted movement later that day or the next morning. Those symptoms deserve a thoughtful assessment, especially when they follow a motor vehicle collision.

At Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic (OCWC) in downtown Edmonton, chiropractic care begins with understanding what happened, how you feel now and what daily activities have become difficult. Dr. Kent Ferguson has practised in Edmonton for more than 20 years and has experience assessing and managing motor vehicle collision injuries. When appropriate, OCWC can coordinate chiropractic care with massage therapy, acupuncture, rehabilitation exercises, shockwave therapy or referral to a physical therapist. The goal is an individualized plan that supports function and recovery, not a standard package given to every patient.

What Is a Whiplash Injury?

Whiplash injury describes an acceleration-deceleration movement of the neck. It most often occurs during a motor vehicle collision, but a sports impact, fall or other sudden force can create a similar movement. Health professionals may use the term whiplash-associated disorder, or WAD, to describe the group of symptoms and functional limitations that can follow.

The movement can affect muscles, ligaments, joints and other structures around the neck and upper back. The exact presentation varies. One person may mainly experience stiffness and headaches, while another may have pain extending toward the shoulder or arm. The apparent amount of vehicle damage does not, by itself, determine what happened to the people inside it. A clinical assessment matters more than assumptions based only on the collision.

What Happens to the Neck During a Collision?

During a rapid impact, the torso and head may move at different times. The neck must control that motion while muscles react to protect the area. This can leave tissues irritated, movement guarded and ordinary tasks such as checking a blind spot, working at a computer or sleeping comfortably more difficult. An assessment looks beyond the label “whiplash injury” to identify the symptoms, movement limitations and safety concerns that apply to you.

Common Signs and Symptoms After a Motor Vehicle Collision

Symptoms differ in intensity and timing. Common concerns include:

  • neck pain, stiffness or reduced range of motion;
  • headaches, often accompanied by upper-neck discomfort;
  • shoulder, upper-back or arm pain;
  • muscle tenderness or a feeling of tightness;
  • dizziness, fatigue, sleep disruption or difficulty concentrating;
  • pain that increases with driving, desk work or sustained positions; and
  • tingling, numbness or weakness, which requires careful evaluation

Some symptoms may also point to concussion, nerve involvement or another condition that needs medical assessment. Tell your practitioner about all symptoms, even if they do not seem connected to your neck.

Can Whiplash Injury Symptoms Be Delayed?

Yes. Pain and stiffness may appear immediately, but they can also develop over the next several hours or days. Adrenaline, stress and the body’s initial protective response can affect what you notice at the scene. Delayed symptoms do not automatically mean that serious damage occurred, but new, persistent or worsening symptoms should not be ignored.

When Should You Seek Immediate Medical Attention?

Seek urgent medical care when symptoms suggest a medical emergency. Examples include loss of consciousness, confusion, repeated vomiting, a severe or rapidly worsening headache, difficulty speaking, new vision changes, seizures, chest pain or trouble breathing. Severe neck pain after significant trauma also warrants urgent assessment.

Prompt medical evaluation is also important for new or increasing weakness, extensive numbness, difficulty walking, loss of coordination, bowel or bladder changes, or pain and neurological symptoms affecting the arms or legs. A chiropractor screens for concerns that fall outside conservative musculoskeletal care and refers or co-manages when necessary. Chiropractic care does not replace emergency evaluation for a suspected fracture, spinal cord injury, concussion or other serious condition.

Why an Early, Thorough Assessment Matters

An assessment helps establish what appears to be contributing to your symptoms, how the injury affects your function and whether conservative care is appropriate. It also provides a baseline for tracking meaningful change. The purpose is not to predict recovery from a single test or to order imaging automatically.

Current Canadian chiropractic guidance supports a person-centred process that includes safety screening, health history, physical examination, education, active rehabilitation, progress monitoring and referral or co-management when needed. X-rays, CT scans and MRIs answer specific clinical questions; they are not routine requirements for every collision-related neck complaint.

What Your OCWC Assessment May Include

Your chiropractor may ask about the direction of impact, seat position, symptoms at the scene, changes since the collision, previous injuries, health conditions, medications and the activities you want to resume. The physical examination may assess neck and upper-back movement, tenderness, strength, sensation, reflexes, balance or other neurological findings as appropriate.

The chiropractor will explain the findings, discuss reasonable care options and obtain your consent before treatment. If the examination raises a concern that requires medical testing or another professional’s expertise, OCWC can recommend the appropriate next step. Your plan should evolve as your symptoms, function and goals change.

Chiropractic Care for Whiplash Injury at OCWC

Chiropractic treatment after a collision is not limited to an adjustment, and an adjustment is not automatically appropriate for every patient or every visit. At OCWC, clinical findings, comfort, preferences and stage of recovery guide the plan. Care may include joint mobilization or chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue techniques, movement advice and rehabilitation exercises when indicated.

Your chiropractor may initially focus on comfortable movement, symptom control and the daily tasks most affected by the collision. As you improve, the plan can progress toward mobility, strength, endurance and confidence in normal activity. Treatment frequency and duration depend on your presentation and response; they should not be decided by a universal timetable.

An Active, Measurable Recovery Plan

Progress means more than a lower pain score when talking about whiplash injury. OCWC may track your ability to turn your head, sleep, drive, concentrate, work, exercise or complete household responsibilities. Rehabilitation exercises may support mobility and control when they suit the stage of recovery. Your practitioner can modify an exercise if it aggravates symptoms and can refer you to a physical therapist when that expertise would add value.

Many people improve with time and appropriate care, but recovery is individual. More intense initial symptoms, sleep disruption, previous health concerns and difficulty returning to activity can influence the course. If progress stalls or the clinical picture changes, reassessment is more useful than continuing an unchanged plan indefinitely.

When Multidisciplinary Care May Be Helpful

Some patients benefit from more than one discipline, while others do well with chiropractic care and a home plan alone. OCWC offers massage therapy and acupuncture within the clinic, allowing providers to coordinate recommendations with your consent. Co-management should have a clear purpose, avoid unnecessary duplication and be reviewed according to your response.

Massage therapy: An OCWC massage therapist may address muscle discomfort, guarded movement or tolerance for activity using techniques suited to the patient and stage of recovery. Massage is an adjunct, not a replacement for safety screening or active rehabilitation.

Acupuncture: Acupuncture may be considered as an optional component of symptom management when appropriate. The acupuncturist and chiropractor can coordinate goals while monitoring whether the addition is useful to the patient.

Shockwave therapy and outside referral: Shockwave therapy is not a default treatment for an acute neck injury. OCWC may consider it later when an assessment identifies a suitable soft-tissue problem and no contraindication. The clinic can also refer to a physical therapist or another health professional when the patient’s needs fall outside the current plan.

What to Do After a Collision: Alberta’s Current Claims Process

In Alberta, you do not need a physician’s referral before seeing a chiropractor after a motor vehicle collision. The Government of Alberta identifies chiropractors, medical doctors and physical therapists as primary health care practitioners for this process. You may choose a chiropractor as the first practitioner to assess your injury.

The province currently advises injured people to report the collision as required, notify the automobile insurer, complete the required accident-benefit paperwork and arrange an assessment as soon as practical. For eligible sprains, strains and WAD I or II injuries managed under Alberta’s Diagnostic and Treatment Protocols, the primary practitioner may begin protocol care without waiting for the insurer’s prior approval once the claim requirements are met. Coverage always depends on the injury, policy and applicable rules, so confirm your circumstances with your insurer or adjuster.

OCWC’s administrative team works with patients and their adjusters to make the process as smooth as possible. Required forms are available at the office, and direct billing to automobile insurers is available when the claim qualifies. Bring your insurer’s name, adjuster contact information, claim number if available, collision date and any relevant medical records to your first appointment.

Important 2027 update: Alberta has announced that its Care-First automobile insurance system will begin January 1, 2027. The process and benefits described above reflect the system in effect in August 2026. Confirm current requirements with your insurer, and OCWC should review this section when the new system takes effect.

Frequently Asked Questions and Your Next Step

Do I need a referral?

No. In Alberta, you can choose a chiropractor as your first primary health care practitioner for a collision-related assessment.

Will I need imaging?

Not necessarily. Your history, examination and safety screening help determine whether imaging or medical referral is indicated.

Will I receive every service OCWC offers?

No. Care should match your findings and goals. Massage therapy, acupuncture, rehabilitation, shockwave therapy or physical therapy referral may be added only when appropriate.

How long will recovery take?

There is no single timeline. Your practitioner will monitor symptoms and function, explain expected progress and revise the plan when needed.

A motor vehicle collision can leave you with pain, uncertainty and paperwork at the same time. A clear first assessment can help you understand what needs attention and what the next step should be. Book your initial appointment online with Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic in downtown Edmonton to meet with an experienced chiropractor and begin a care plan built around your needs.

piriformis pain relief

Stubborn Piriformis Pain

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Chiropractic Care and Shockwave Therapy for Hip and Glute Pain

When you are looking for piriformis pain relief, it usually means the problem has started to take up too much space in your day. Sitting feels limited. Exercise feels uncertain. You may stretch, feel a little better, and then notice the same deep glute pain returning the next time you drive, climb stairs, cycle, run, or sit through a long meeting.

Piriformis-related pain can be stubborn because it often involves more than one irritated structure. The piriformis muscle may be tight or overworked. The sciatic nerve may be sensitive. The lower back, pelvis, and hips may not be sharing movement well. In some cases, soft tissue irritation around the hip and gluteal region may need more than rest and general stretching.

That is where a combined approach may help. At Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic, chiropractic care can assess and address movement patterns, joint restrictions, and mechanical stress. Shockwave therapy may also be considered for stubborn soft tissue irritation when it fits the patient’s presentation and goals.

Why Piriformis Pain Can Be So Persistent

The piriformis is a deep hip muscle that helps rotate and stabilize the hip. It sits close to the sciatic nerve, which is why irritation in this area can create symptoms that feel larger than a simple muscle strain. Pain may stay local in the buttock, or it may travel into the back of the thigh and sometimes farther down the leg.

People often assume the answer for piriformis pain relief is to stretch harder. Sometimes mobility work is part of the solution, but piriformis pain can persist when the underlying load on the area has not changed. If your hip, pelvis, or lower back continues to move poorly, the piriformis may keep guarding. If the glutes are not strong enough to support the pelvis, the piriformis may keep overworking. If sitting compresses the area for hours every day, symptoms may keep flaring.

The Piriformis, Sciatic Nerve, and Deep Glute Pain

The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. When the piriformis muscle becomes irritated, swollen, tense, or spasmed, it can aggravate the nerve nearby. That irritation may create aching, burning, numbness, tingling, or sharp pain.

Because symptoms can resemble lower-back sciatica, it is important to avoid assuming the piriformis is the only issue. A careful assessment helps determine whether your symptoms are mainly coming from the hip and gluteal region, the lower back, or a combination of both.

Why Rest Alone Often Does Not Solve the Problem

Rest can calm symptoms temporarily, especially after a flare-up. But if rest is the only strategy, symptoms often return when you go back to the same sitting pattern, training load, or movement habit. Long-term improvement usually requires a plan that restores movement, builds strength, improves load tolerance, and reduces repeated irritation.

Common Symptoms of Piriformis Pain

Piriformis pain may begin as a dull ache and gradually become more disruptive. It may also show up suddenly after a workout, long drive, fall, or awkward movement. The location and intensity can vary, but many people recognize a few familiar patterns.

Symptoms may include:

  • Deep pain in one buttock or hip.
  • Pain that increases with sitting, driving, or cycling.
  • Sciatic-type discomfort down the back of the thigh.
  • Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in the leg.
  • Tightness that returns despite stretching.
  • Pain with stairs, hills, squats, lunges, running, or prolonged walking.
  • Difficulty finding a comfortable sitting or sleeping position.

When to Get Reassessed

If your pain is worsening, spreading, or not responding to the exercises you have tried, it is time to get reassessed. You should also seek urgent care for red flags such as major weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin area, fever with severe pain, or symptoms after significant trauma.

For recurring symptoms, a free consultation can help you understand whether your next step should be a chiropractic assessment, shockwave therapy discussion, or another form of care.

Chiropractic Care for Piriformis Pain Relief

Chiropractic care looks at how the body is moving as a system. With piriformis-related pain, that may include assessment of the lower back, sacroiliac joints, pelvis, hips, glutes, gait, posture, and daily habits. The goal is to identify what keeps loading the piriformis and sciatic nerve region.

Treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue work, mobility drills, strengthening exercises, and advice on sitting, workstation setup, training progression, and recovery. The right plan for piriformis pain relief depends on what the assessment shows.

Piriformis Pain Relief Starts With Better Movement

If the hip is stiff, the pelvis is restricted, or the lower back is not moving comfortably, the piriformis may compensate. Chiropractic adjustments may help restore joint motion and reduce stress in the surrounding muscles. Soft tissue therapy may help decrease guarding and improve tolerance to movement.

Strength matters too. Many stubborn piriformis cases need more than flexibility. Glute bridges, clamshells, side-lying leg lifts, controlled squats, and core stability exercises may be used when appropriate. These exercises help the larger hip and trunk muscles share the work, so the piriformis does not have to act like the main stabilizer all day.

Working Through Early Discomfort Carefully

Initial stretching and mobility work can feel uncomfortable, especially when the area has been tight or guarded for a while. Carefully working through that discomfort can be important for results, as long as the discomfort stays controlled and does not create sharper, more intense, or farther-traveling nerve symptoms.

A useful rule is to monitor how your body responds during and after the exercise. Mild stretch tension that settles is different from pain that spikes, lingers, or causes more tingling. Your chiropractor can help you find the right intensity, frequency, and progression so you build confidence rather than flare the area repeatedly.

Shockwave Therapy and Chiropractic Care for Stubborn Cases

Shockwave therapy uses acoustic pressure waves to stimulate targeted tissues. In musculoskeletal care, clinicians may use it for certain soft tissue conditions when the goal is to encourage local healing responses, improve tissue tolerance, and reduce stubborn irritation. It is not the right choice for every person, but it may be worth discussing when hip or glute pain has become persistent.

For piriformis-region symptoms, shockwave therapy may be considered alongside chiropractic care when the assessment suggests a soft tissue component that has not responded well to basic home care. It does not replace good movement habits, strengthening, or proper diagnosis. Instead, it may become one part of a broader plan.

How Shockwave Therapy May Fit Into Your Plan

A combined plan may start with a consultation to review your symptoms, goals, and previous treatments. If shockwave therapy appears appropriate, your care plan may include a series of sessions paired with chiropractic care, mobility work, strengthening, and activity modification.

Some patients are surprised that shockwave therapy can feel intense during treatment. Your clinician should adjust the dose to your tolerance and explain what to expect. As with mobility work, the goal is not to overwhelm the tissue. The goal is to apply the right stimulus at the right time, then support it with better movement and recovery habits.

Dr. Ferguson Clinical Tip

“If piriformis pain keeps coming back, the goal is not just to calm the area down. We want to understand why it keeps getting overloaded.” – Dr. Kent Ferguson

Clinical tip: track your symptom triggers for one week before your consultation. Note how long you can sit, what exercises flare symptoms, what relieves them, and whether pain travels below the knee. These details help your clinician separate a simple tightness pattern from a more complex nerve or lower-back involvement.

Book a Free Consultation

If you have tried stretching, rest, massage, or general exercise and still feel stuck, you do not have to keep guessing. A free consultation at Oliver Chiropractic Wellness Clinic can help you understand whether chiropractic care, shockwave therapy, or a different next step may be appropriate for your situation.

Piriformis pain can be frustrating, but it often becomes less mysterious once you understand the mechanics behind it. With the right assessment and a plan that respects both mobility and strength, you can work toward more comfortable sitting, smoother movement, and a return to the activities that matter to you.