What happens when you wait out an injury?
HERE IS A SCENARIO THAT MANY OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED….
You tweak your knee** skiing or hiking. It is sore for a few days to a few weeks. Mild swelling and some pain with weight bearing. It gets better slowly and then you carry on with your activities.
1-2 years later your knee starts hurting again. This time it is not from an ‘injury’ but it hurts when you are hiking or skiing or any weight bearing activity.
**insert any body part here (shoulder, ankle, hip, etc.)
HOW TO AVOID the RETURN OF PAIN...
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The initial injury causes muscles to turn off and they get tight. You carry on and the muscles work well enough to not notice but they are not back to full capacity. This will come back to haunt you.
Instead of waiting it out, go see a PT to help make sure these muscles are recovering through strength, mobility and soft tissue work. It may just take a consult or 2 to correct the protective compensations.
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I hear this story every week from patients, friends and clients. And I always wish I had worked with them closer to the initial injury.
It is our HUMAN NATURE to tough it out - specifically active people who are used to the discomfort and suffering that our bodies endure to do our sports, activities, work, etc.
If you think this may be you…reach out and ask!