Do Not Ignore An Exercise Injury
While “no pain, no gain” is a motivating proverb that can push athletes to their limits, the saying can also increase the risk of injury, or worse, the need for surgery. Balancing pain and exercise is critical to improving the gains from a workout and minimizing recovery time. In some instances, severe pain should not be ignored and can require surgery.
Can you exercise in pain?
When exercising, people may notice sore muscles and fatigue. In muscle strength training, soreness can last a few days. While some pain is normal during a workout, severe pain, swelling, and tenderness that does not recover over time are abnormal and warrant further investigation. Stressing muscles, ligaments, cartilage, tendons, or bones too quickly or forcefully can cause irreparable damage.
When to stop working out
Workouts can produce burning sensations and fatigue to strengthen muscles and gain more endurance. However, the bad pain that lasts should not be ignored. Consider stopping an activity when experiencing severe or sharp pain or pain that feels like tissue is being damaged.
How to prevent workout injuries
Regular exercise is essential for good health but can increase the risk of injury if a person is not careful. Injuries can include strains, sprains, and other forms of pain. Athletes can avoid exercise injuries by warming up before and cooling down after an exercise. Dynamic stretches can help increase flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.
Varying the types of workouts performed can prevent the repetitive use of muscles, leading to repetitive-use injuries. For every kind of exercise, proper form and safety equipment can minimize the risk of injury. Hiring a trainer can help people create a safe and personalized exercise program if necessary.
Consult a physician
The drive to compete and win can push athletes to push themselves and increase the risk of injury. While patients may be ready to get on the field, a doctor, physical therapist, or sports medicine professional should provide the final guidance to determine working out safety. Pushing beyond the limits can increase recovery time and worsen the injury.
Consider non-surgical options
Before an exercise injury may need surgery, doctors may recommend conservative treatment methods for various exercise injuries. Non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, medication, exercise modifications, shockwave therapy, and pain injections.
Find the right solution for excessive pain from exercise
If rest, recovery, and conservative treatment methods do not help in reducing the pain from exercise, consult a doctor to determine the cause and severity of the painful injury. A doctor can determine the technique or workout that led to the injury and create a comprehensive treatment plan that gets patients back in action.
