Recuring injuries

Sports injuries are a common and accepted part of being active. Clearly we are better off participating in a range of exercises and activities but of course the more we do the more chance there is that we will sustain an injury. In terms of a recurring injury, one of the most significant risk factors for a repeated problem in the same body region is a prior injury in that part. To reduce the risk of this happening, following a complete course of treatment and rehabilitation is important so as to normalise control of movement, limb awareness (proprioception), sensation, general & specific fitness.

A large number of exercisers experience recurring problems in the same region. We often make the assumption that something hurts because we have damaged the tissue, and indeed in most cases when we injure a ligament or bone it will be painful. In subsequent blogs I will give more attention to the processing of pain but for now it is important to understand that as far as we understand it, pain is not an accurate indicator of tissue damage. This is well borne out in the science of pain. Pain can be experienced as a warning of potential damage just as it tells us that something has actually happened. We should take heed though, as pain is a motivator to do something meaningful to reduce the threat to our tissues, escape or seek help for example. So, a recurring ‘injury’ can actually be the body protecting itself by producing pain as a warning as opposed to being a actual sign of tissue damage as well as tightening local muscles and altering the way we move. All must be corrected to resolve the problem.