Understanding Fitness Injuries, Recovery and Treatments for all Fitness Levels
July 11, 2025
Most people know that exercise and sports can offer endless health benefits, including building strong bones and muscles. The advantages of staying active often outweigh the risks; but having an awareness of fitness injuries and recovery can help you stay in your best game.*
Sports injuries are not just for athletes
Whether you’re an experienced athlete, fitness guru, novice or weekend warrior, sports injuries can happen to anyone and are often referred to as acute or chronic.
“Acute sports injuries happen suddenly and include a force of impact greater than the body can withstand, like a collision with another player in contact sports. Chronic or overuse injuries occur gradually due to repetitive motions involved in a specific sport or exercise routine,” explains Jesus Castillo, DO, FAOAO, CAQSM, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist with Aiken Physicians Alliance who is also on staff at Aiken Regional Medical Centers.
Examples of acute and overuse injuries, according to Dr. Castillo, include:
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Acute injuries:
- Fractures, dislocations, sprains and strains from a fall or collision with another player or sudden twist or strain during sports or exercise; severe pain is often a factor.
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Chronic or overuse injuries:
- Shoulder conditions in tennis players and swimmers
- Stress fractures in runners, gymnasts and basketball players from repetitive weight-bearing activity on the bones of the lower extremity
- Strains and sprains from weight lifting, especially without gradual progression or correct technique, occurring in the shoulders, knees and lower back; overstretching in yoga can strain muscles and tendons, particularly in the shoulders, hips and back
Injury prevention
Playing a variety of sports or engaging in different fitness routines to help avoid overuse injuries is something Dr. Castillo recommends. He also suggests resting between workouts, using proper form and equipment, hydrating appropriately, warming up and cooling down and maintaining a balanced diet to fuel the body for both fitness activities and recovery.
Recovering from sports injuries and treatments
Taking a break to recover and allowing the body to heal, followed by an individualized course of physical therapy, is typically the preferred treatment for overuse injuries, according to Dr. Castillo. For an acute sports injury, prompt first aid treatment and the RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is recommended. Signs of a more severe acute injury may include extreme bleeding, obvious deformity, pain and swelling that does not go away or immobility of the injured part. Sometimes a cast, splint or brace may be necessary, and surgery may be recommended in some instances.**
Individualized orthopedic care
“Regardless of the injury, I evaluate my patients based on their individualized complaints, activity level and goals,” says Dr. Castillo. “Conservative treatments are typically recommended first, which may include therapeutic injections, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy. When surgery is necessary, physical therapy both in the clinical setting and prescribed exercises at home are often essential to recovery and getting back to an active lifestyle.”
About Jesus A. Castillo, DO, FAOAO, CAQSM
Dr. Castillo earned his medical degree with honors at Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He completed his residency training in orthopedic surgery and served as chief orthopedic surgery resident at the University of Medicine and Dentistry School of Osteopathic Medicine in Stratford, New Jersey. He also served as an officer, orthopedic surgeon and Head of the Department of Orthopedics in the Medical Corps of the United States Navy at the Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Dr. Castillo is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgeons and holds a subspecialty certification in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He is a fellow of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Dr. Castillo is fluent in Spanish.
*Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new fitness activity or sport.
**A healthcare provider should always be consulted following an injury.
Source: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries