No pain, no gain, right? Wrong. Pain is your body’s way of telling you that an injury has occurred. Many athletes like to ignore pain but this behavior only predisposes them to further injury. Sport injuries can cause muscle strains, tendon sprains, bone fractures, and contusions: all of which cause pain. Recovering from a sport-injury can be a lengthy process, especially if you are dealing with unrelenting pain. Pain can be a debilitating obstacle, and it can seriously degrade an athlete’s confidence and career. To alleviate pain, and return to sport-related activities, athletes have a myriad of treatment options at their disposal.
Before discussing treatment options, however, it is important to point out the differences between benign pain and harmful pain. Pain level is subjective, and athletes have an enhanced ability to ignore painful stimuli. Therefore, paying attention to the type of pain that is present helps athletes to determine the severity of an injury, and helps them to determine if physical activity should be avoided to prevent further injury. Benign pain is usually short lasting and dull, and it is not associated with swelling, tenderness, or soreness. Harmful pain, however, is sharp, and it is centralized over the injured area. Harmful pain is persistent, and it is associated with swelling, tenderness, and soreness. Harmful pain is a good indication of when you should refrain from physical activity and seek medical assistance.
Treatment options for pain vary, and they depend on injury location and severity. Whether you are a weekend-warrior or a seasoned athlete, no one wants to be ‘benched’ by an injury. In order to hasten recovery and lessen pain, it is important to receive effective treatment from a qualified professional as soon as possible. The most successful athletes understand the relationship between injury and performance –they know when to block-out pain and when to stop and seek professional help.
*DISCLAIMER: These are not medical diagnoses or suggestions for any specific individuals. They are an overview of various conditions, treatments and topics discussed by New York Pain Management Group. If you would like to discuss your symptoms in greater detail, do not hesitate to contact the New York Pain Management Group. To learn more about treatment options for this and other pain conditions, contact us today at www.nopainny.com or call at 1-888-789-NOPAIN! We will be happy to assist you.