Why does it still hurt?
We all suffer minor injuries throughout life, sometimes not so minor. Usually, within a certain amount of time, with or without therapy the pain goes away and we return to our daily routine. So how come, sometimes, that nagging pain remains?
Many research studies have shown that exercise is a key component of pain reduction and increased function in nearly all chronic musculoskeletal injuries.* Moreover, many injuries cause us to “compensate”, to use a different part of our body to avoid the painful injury. For example, if you injured your right leg you are likely to spend more time standing on and walking with your left leg. This affects not only your legs but also your spine, shoulders and neck as your entire posture changes. A dysfunctional movement pattern has been created affecting balance, stability and your overall feeling of health. In addition, incorrect movement patterns may affect our knee and hip joints, leading to complications years after the initial injury.
A certified personal trainer can create an exercise program tailored to your body which will help you regain correct movement patterns. Precision is critical when performing exercises designed to recuperate from an injury. The exercises need to be done perfectly each time. A study from the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation found that a detail as small as foot position can make the difference between recovering from back or knee pain or making it worse.
Moreover, working with a professional will ensure proper progression in the exercise routine as you regain strength and agility. A certified personal trainer knows when to increase repetitions, weight, speed etc… in accordance with increased ability. They also know how to progress from an isolated joint or muscle exercise to an exercise which incorporates several body parts and eventually progresses to correct movement patterns.
Don’t claim pain as an excuse not to exercise when, in reality, an exercise program designed by a professional may be the best medicine you ever took.
* The Globe and Mail Published Sunday, Apr. 19, 2015 12:00PM EDT
