Recovering from a sports injury matters as much as the injury itself, whether you tweaked a hamstring on the field in Parkland or rolled an ankle at the gym. At The Spine and Wellness Center in Coral Springs, Dr. Jared Cohen helps weekend warriors and competitive athletes from Coral Springs and Parkland recover the right way, so they return to play stronger and less likely to be sidelined again.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Jared Cohen, DC · Updated June 2026

Common sports injury types we see

Sports injuries fall into two broad groups: acute injuries from a single event, and overuse injuries that build up over time. Both respond well to a structured recovery plan, but they need to be handled differently. Knowing which one you are dealing with is the first step toward a smart return.

• Sprained ankles and ligament strains
• Pulled or strained muscles, especially hamstrings and calves
• Rotator cuff and shoulder injuries
• Knee injuries and patellar tendon irritation
• Lower back strains from lifting, twisting, or impact
• Repetitive-stress injuries like shin splints and tendinitis

RICE versus active recovery

Most athletes know RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. In the first day or two after an acute injury, calming swelling and protecting the area is sensible. But the old idea that you should rest until the pain is completely gone has been replaced by a more active understanding of healing.

The body rebuilds tissue in response to gradual, controlled load. Complete rest for too long can leave muscles weak, joints stiff, and scar tissue poorly organized. That is why active recovery, where you reintroduce safe, progressive movement under guidance, generally produces a stronger, more durable result than rest alone.

Why rest alone often fails

When an athlete simply waits for pain to fade and then jumps back into full activity, the underlying problem is often still there. Strength, mobility, and coordination may not have fully returned, and the tissue may not be ready for game-day demands. This is one of the most common reasons injuries come back, sometimes worse than before.

A proper recovery plan addresses the whole chain: the injured tissue, the joints above and below it, and the movement patterns that may have contributed in the first place. That is where combining hands-on care with structured rehabilitation makes the difference.

How we help athletes recover

Our approach blends several tools into one plan. As a sports injury chiropractor in Coral Springs, Dr. Cohen first identifies exactly what is injured and what else is compensating. From there, chiropractic care helps restore proper joint motion and alignment so the body can move and load tissue correctly during healing.

Guided physical therapy then rebuilds strength, flexibility, and control in a progressive way, while supportive modalities help manage pain and inflammation. This combination supports faster, more complete recovery and is popular with athletes from Coral Springs, Parkland, Coconut Creek, and Boca Raton who want to get back to their sport without cutting corners.

Returning to play safely

Returning to play is not a single moment; it is a series of milestones. Before going full speed, you want to confirm you have your range of motion, strength, and confidence back. Use these checkpoints as a guide:

• Full, pain-free range of motion in the injured area
• Strength that matches or nearly matches the uninjured side
• Ability to perform sport-specific movements without pain
• No swelling or flare-ups after activity
• Confidence to move, cut, and load without hesitation

Preventing the next injury

The best recovery plan also lowers your risk of being hurt again. Warming up properly, building balanced strength, and addressing movement faults all help. Across Coral Springs and Parkland, we coach athletes to treat prevention as part of training rather than an afterthought, which keeps them in the game longer.

When to see us in Coral Springs

If pain is not improving after a few days, if you cannot bear weight or use the limb normally, or if an old injury keeps coming back, it is time for an evaluation. The Spine and Wellness Center has served Coral Springs and Parkland since 2005, offers same-day appointments, and accepts most major insurance. Call (954) 341-2256 to start your recovery the right way.