No Pain, No Gain?

Hey there ~ it’s Q&A day here at Cairn Physical Therapy & Wellness. I’m Dr. Roxi and I wanted to answer a question I get ALL THE TIME from athletes!
 “When can I play, when can I hike, when can I bike, when can I surf” . . . “A little pain is okay right?”  or  “It’s going to hurt a little right?” 

My answer is “it depends” . . . to which we athletes respond “HEY, No Pain No Gain Right?” 

Well, wrong actually . . . remember pain is your bodies ONE signal that tells you something is wrong here or you need to pay attention to this. Pain, related to an injury, is not okay. You should not play through it. You gain nothing from playing while in pain due to an injury other than more problems and longer setbacks. 


But the true meaning of the sentiment No Pain, No Gain is this:

  • You get out what you put in . . . if you work hard you get results. 

  • Be okay with the struggle because the reward will be worth it. 


So let’s define what we mean by pain? 

  • If pain is your symptoms that made you stop playing in the first place? 

    • listen to your body, it is not ready for the activity you are performing.

  • If pain is the emotional/psychological “pain” of having to carve out time in your day to do your rehab exercises?

    • I am sorry to say: suck it up my friend or you will be back to the symptoms limiting your participation. 

    • But I recommend working smarter not harder and struggling successfully. 

      1. When you are working smarter you are preparing yourself to play after injury by doing your rehab activities, warming up properly, drinking enough water, eating the right foods, getting enough sleep, and listening to your body. 

      2. When you’re struggling successfully you are doing the things you know you need to do even when you don’t want to or when they are challenging! 

  • Is it something else in your body feeling sore because you are not using the right muscles to perform the task?

    • In this case . . . it’s somewhere in between ~ rest, stretch, hydrate, get a massage and then celebrate because your body is performing as it should after injury. But be careful not to push it or you may end up with a different injury ;)


To Recap ~ Athletes, please do not play through injury pain! You gain nothing from it. If your pain is related to the struggle to work something new into your routine or from the new muscles you are using then kudos! You will be back at the activities you love in no time. If you have more questions about this topic send us a message or give us a ring! Until next time,  Be Well! 


Wanna watch the video? https://youtu.be/CMij45dMGV0


You can find us here:

www.cairnptwellness.com

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via email at drroxi@cairnptwellness.com and phone 424-244-0575

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