Pain in my...

     Greetings to all those in the blogosphere. This is my first entry so please forgive me if it is not up to the high blotting standards that have already been set. Today, I would like to address pain: how to identify it, manage it, and prevent it from reoccurring in the future.  This will help your "so rad" workouts be even more satisfying. 

     First, what is pain? Is it weakness leaving the body? Jumping on a bike seat too quickly?  The deep burn of working out the proverbial guns? The exact opposite of "so rad"?  Perhaps it's all of the above. For the purposes of this blog, we'll say that it is a general signal that the affected body part sends to the brain that something is being done wrong.  Some types of pain include stinging/tingling or burning (nerve related), aching pain over a general area (typically muscular) or more localized (joint related) discomfort.  

     Also to be considered is when the pain is at its worst.  For example, mild pain or stiffness before exercise can usually be managed with proper mobilization and stretching.  Severe pain regardless of time is a clear sign to shut down the machine. Pain after your workouts could be a sign of poor technique, overuse of a muscle/joint, inadequate recovery time, or just too much ‘radness’ on your part.

    In any event, there are several ways to deal with the post-workout blues. The first thing to do is try to identify the exact movement causing the pain, then discontinue that movement until a proper solution is attained. In this case it is best to treat your body like a car: if the "check engine" light comes on, you should ask yourself how much longer are you going to drive around with that yellow warning flag staring at you.  

     Another important step is to gauge the pain. On a scale of 1to 10, your pain is at a 3 initially and then disappears, that's great. One less thing to worry about. But if it continues to a higher number, that is cause for concern.  

The best way to avoid pain is through prevention. Some of those reading this will think of this as heresy, going against the code of awesomeness.  Not to worry, prevention doesn't have to mean cessation.  Ask your local fitness professional if there are ways to modify particular exercises that you enjoy, or find alternatives that suit you and your fitness goals.

Marlon Daniel, ATC

Beach Fitness Trainer /Athletic Trainer