Do you have a pain, irritation, or something else that has been bothering you? Ever wonder if this is normal for most people, or if it is something you need to be worried about? What if you tweak something during a workout, practice, or match?

How do you know if the irritation/injury is something to be concerned about or just something to ignore and continue on as close to normal as possible until it goes away? There are a few options available to everyone, including googling your symptoms, asking a friend or relative, asking a professional such as a doctor, physical therapist, athletic trainer, or chiropractor — all are trained to spot the issues that need to be addressed, and it is always our goal to help get patients to the best possible provider for their needs. The one consistent when it comes to injuries and ailments is that no one can help if they’re not aware of the issue.

No one knows what you are feeling at any given time unless you tell that person. If it is something minor, we will be able to advise you to encourage activity as normal. If it could turn into something more serious, we will provide our advice and communicate with the necessary parties to ensure prolonged health and performance. It is always our goal to keep our patients/clients as active in their life as possible. Whether your goals are running, basketball, pickleball, swimming, playing with grandchildren, gardening, or anything else, we want to see you enjoy those things.

So when are we not able to help? If you do not tell us about an injury, pain, or ailment. Why would someone avoid telling a coach or medical provider about an ailment? There are a few common reasons:

Stigma: “No pain, no gain” is not necessarily something we should live by. Should we always be perfectly comfortable? No, but pain is our body’s response to tell us something is wrong.
Fear of missing out: If I tell someone about this, I will have to come out of the game or be told to stop what I am doing. As mentioned before, as long as an activity is not making things worse, we will advise you to carry on.
Competitive advantage: if an opponent knows of an injury, they will try to exploit it throughout a competition.

Although keeping a small injury to yourself may seem the best idea in the moment, is it worth trading completing the task today at the expense of a long-term problem? Not all injuries progress from minor to major in this pattern, but it is always best to seek the advice of a trained professional to know the difference, and if modifications are required.

We are here to help keep you active, and as safe as possible. If you will be putting yourself in harm’s way by continuing, we will advise you to modify. Modifications do not mean you have to stop your activity, as there are often ways to scale to ensure some participation. Although difficult in the short-term, modifications will likely help get back to full strength quicker than ignoring an issue.

As always, our team of therapists is ready to assist you and keep you involved with what you love.

Hiding Injuries