The Most Common Injuries We See in Active Adults
Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health. Whether you’re hitting the gym, running, playing recreational sports, or just trying to keep up with a busy lifestyle, movement matters.
That said, being active also means we see some very common patterns of injury in our clinics. The good news? Most of these issues are treatable, preventable, and manageable with the right approach.
Here are the injuries we most often see in active adults, and what usually causes them.
1. Lower Back Pain
One of the most common reasons people seek care.
Lower back pain often shows up after:
Lifting weights with poor mechanics
Long hours sitting, then sudden activity
Repetitive bending, twisting, or overuse
Weak core or hip muscles
Back pain doesn’t always mean something is “damaged”. Often, it’s a combination of muscle tension, joint stiffness, and movement imbalance.
👉 Physio, chiropractic care, massage therapy, and kinesiology can work together to restore mobility, reduce pain, and rebuild strength.
2. Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder is incredibly mobile, and that makes it vulnerable.
We commonly see:
Rotator cuff strains
Shoulder impingement
Tendon irritation
Overhead movement pain (gym, swimming, throwing sports)
These injuries are often linked to poor shoulder stability, limited upper-back mobility, or muscle imbalances.
👉 Early treatment is key! Shoulder pain tends to linger when ignored.
3. Knee Pain
Knee pain doesn’t always come from the knee itself.
Common causes include:
Running or jumping sports
Squats and lunges with poor control
Sudden increases in training volume
Weak hips or limited ankle mobility
Conditions like runner’s knee, patellar tendon pain, and general knee irritation are very common, especially in people who are active but not strength-training consistently.
4. Neck Pain & Headaches
Neck pain shows up in active adults more than people expect, especially those who:
Train hard but sit at a desk all day
Experience stress and muscle tension
Have poor posture during workouts or daily life
Tight neck and upper-back muscles, joint stiffness, and nervous system tension can all contribute to neck pain and headaches.
👉 Massage therapy and chiropractic care are especially helpful here, alongside movement-based rehab.
5. Hip Pain
Hip pain is often overlooked, until it starts affecting workouts, walking, or sleep.
We commonly see:
Muscle strains
Hip flexor tightness
Glute weakness
Reduced hip mobility
Hip issues can contribute to back pain, knee pain, and running injuries, which is why proper assessment matters.
6. Ankle & Foot Injuries
Ankles and feet take a beating, especially with running, court sports, and uneven surfaces.
Common issues include:
Ankle sprains
Achilles tendon pain
Plantar fasciitis
General foot stiffness or weakness
Many of these injuries stem from poor stability, limited mobility, or returning to activity too quickly after time off.
Why These Injuries Keep Happening
In most cases, it’s not just “bad luck”.
We often see injuries linked to:
Sudden increases in activity
Inadequate recovery
Poor movement mechanics
Muscle imbalances
Training without enough rest or variety
Pain is often your body’s way of asking for better support, not complete rest forever.
How We Help Active Adults Recover and Stay Active
Our clinics take a ∙team-based approach∙ to injury care, which may include:
Physiotherapy for assessment, pain relief, and rehab
Massage Therapy to reduce muscle tension and improve recovery
Chiropractic Care to restore joint mobility and reduce stiffness
Kinesiology to rebuild strength, movement confidence, and prevent re-injury
The goal isn’t just to get you out of pain, it’s to help you move better, feel stronger, and stay active long-term.
When to Get Help
If pain:
Keeps coming back
Limits your activity
Gets worse with movement
Hasn’t improved in a few weeks
…it’s worth getting assessed.
👉 Early care often means faster recovery and fewer setbacks.
Staying active shouldn’t mean living with pain.
If something doesn’t feel right, our team is here to help you get back to doing what you love, safely and confidently.
