We all know exercise is
It’s important to know the difference between post-workout discomfort and the pain of an injury.
What signs should exercisers watch out for?
It’s important to differentiate between pain and discomfort when working up a sweat. Pain that’s more than normal might happen very acutely when you’re exercising. You might feel a severe pain immediately. There could be swelling around that particular joint, bruising, or worse, you might not be able to put any weight on it.
Back pain: When people are in the gym doing an activity like
Shoulder injuries: Sometimes an injury to the shoulder may cause pain when moving or cause weakness within the shoulder itself. This can happen with or without trauma. If you have a decrease in range of motion within your shoulder, you should definitely see a provider and possibly a specialist. Sometimes the treatment can be done without surgery.
Numbness in the hands: Many things can cause numbness in the hands, including sports injuries, nerve compression or even general medical conditions. The evaluation and management of hand numbness can be challenging and you should see a specialist, such as a physiatrist.
Knee injuries: Knee pain is another common injury. For any acute injury with the knee, if you see any swelling around your knee and if you have difficulty walking, see a medical professional immediately. It could be something more severe. If it’s just a knee contusion or if you bump your knee against something and you can still walk on it and there’s no swelling, you might just want to make a regular appointment with your primary care provider. If the knee pain is a chronic issue, there are many good treatments available.
If you have these pains
And finally, be patient. One thing I see commonly is people who return to the gym and want to do everything in one day. It’s okay to ease into it. It’s not about how fast you get there, it’s about where you are at the end of your journey.