Why Does My Injury Keep Coming Back?
Why Does My Injury Keep Coming Back?
You thought your elbow injury was getting better. But then you spent a weekend playing golf, and now the pain’s returned. What’s going on?
Recurring injuries like this are among the most common reasons people visit us at Sievers Sports Medicine. They can be especially troublesome for athletes eager to get back to their favorite sport.
There is some good news, though. Repeated flare-ups aren’t something you have to live with. Instead, they’re a sign that something deeper needs attention, which our team can help address.
Understanding Recurring Injuries
Persistent pain can be frustrating, but it’s helpful to remember that it often occurs because the underlying injury hasn’t fully healed. Rest or medication can certainly help reduce symptoms, but they don’t necessarily address damaged tissue or a slow healing process.
Here are some of the factors that can contribute to recurring pain:
- Tendon injuries, which tend to heal slowly because tendons naturally have a low blood supply and take longer to get the nutrients they need to rebuild the tissue
- Repeated overuse from sports, work, or daily activities.
- Ligament injuries that leave a joint less stable
- Scar tissue that limits normal movement and adds stress to surrounding structures.
Pain itself can also change over time. After weeks or months of ongoing irritation, the nervous system may become more sensitive. As a result, the brain’s alarm system turns up its volume, and activities that were once comfortable may begin to trigger pain more easily.
Three Ways We Can Help Address Recurring Injuries
Comprehensive Sports Medicine Evaluations
The first step in treating a stubborn injury is understanding what’s behind it. That’s why we offer comprehensive sports medicine evaluations that go beyond simply looking at the area that hurts. We’ll assess how your injury developed, how it affects your daily life, and what factors may be preventing recovery.
You can expect:
- A detailed discussion about your symptoms and activity level.
- A thorough physical examination.
- Diagnostic ultrasound or digital X-rays to better visualize injured tissues.
- Specialized lab testing, if needed.
This comprehensive evaluation helps us fully understand your injury so we can recommend treatments tailored to your specific condition, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
StemWave Therapy
One treatment technique we may recommend for recurring injuries is StemWave therapy, which uses focused high-energy sound waves to stimulate your body’s natural healing response. These soundwaves increase blood flow to the injured area and facilitate healing, especially if it has stalled.
It’s especially helpful for chronic tendon injuries that haven’t responded to more traditional treatment, including:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s knee
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy
- Jumper’s knee
We also recommend it for plantar fasciitis, a condition that affects the tissue along the bottom of your foot.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated sample of your own blood to support healing.
Here’s how it works: We draw a small blood sample, then process it to separate and concentrate the platelets, which contain natural growth factors that help coordinate tissue repair. We then inject these concentrated platelets directly into the injured area using ultrasound guidance for greater accuracy.
Because PRP uses your own blood, most people tolerate the treatment very well. While healing takes time, you can generally expect gradual improvements in pain and function as the injured tissue continues to recover over several weeks and months.
We often recommend PRP injections for:
- Chronic tendon injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Certain muscle injuries
Don’t Let A Recurring Injury Keep You From Doing What You Love
Repeated injuries are not an inevitable result of participating in sports–or even just being active. Rather, their persistent symptoms indicate that your injury needs a more thorough evaluation and a treatment plan based on the underlying cause. That’s where our sports medicine team comes in!
At Sievers Sports Medicine, we combine advanced diagnostics, evidence-based treatments, and individualized care to help stop the cycle of repeated injury. Whether your pain has lingered for weeks or been flaring up intermittently for years, we’re here to help you find answers.
Reach out today to schedule a comprehensive evaluation and learn which treatment options may be right for you.
Schedule Your Evaluation
Jessica Chavez
Jessica Chavez is a Registered Radiologic Technologist who recently completed her radiography training and is excited to begin her healthcare career serving patients throughout the Portales and Clovis communities. She is passionate about providing compassionate patient care and helping create a comfortable, positive experience for every individual who walks through the door.
As a member of the Sievers Sports Medicine team, Jessica is committed to delivering high-quality imaging services while continuing to expand her knowledge and skills in healthcare. She values building connections with patients and takes pride in contributing to their care and overall experience.
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her dogs, traveling, and exploring new experiences. She looks forward to growing professionally and making a positive impact on the health and well-being of the community she serves.
Dorothy “Chelle” Alaniz, FNP-C
Dorothy “Chelle” Alaniz, FNP-C, is a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 15 years of experience caring for patients across surgical, primary care, and specialty medicine settings.
Chelle began her medical career serving in the United States Air Force as a Surgical Technician before spending 13 years as an Operating Room Nurse, where she specialized in general surgery, orthopedics, and sports medicine. She later advanced her career as a Family Nurse Practitioner and has spent the past five years providing compassionate, patient-centered care in urgent care, dermatology, occupational health, and family medicine.
Passionate about building meaningful relationships with her patients, Chelle believes in partnering with individuals and families to support their health, wellness, and long-term quality of life. Her diverse clinical background allows her to bring a well-rounded perspective to patient care, with a focus on listening, education, and personalized treatment.
Recently relocated to eastern New Mexico, where her husband is stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, Chelle is excited to join the Sievers Sports Medicine team and serve the Portales and Clovis communities. With her background in orthopedics and sports medicine, she looks forward to helping patients of all ages stay active, recover from injury, and achieve their health goals. Chelle is honored to be part of a practice known for its commitment to exceptional patient care and is dedicated to providing the compassionate, high-quality care every patient deserves.
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Sheet Pan Chicken Dinner
A simple, high-protein meal packed with colorful vegetables and roasted all on one pan for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb baby potatoes, halved
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 red onion, cut into wedges
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley and lemon wedges for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Arrange the chicken, potatoes, broccoli, peppers, and onion on a large sheet pan.
- Drizzle everything with olive oil.
- Season evenly with garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Toss the vegetables to coat while leaving the chicken in place.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the vegetables are tender.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
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