Recognizing Pain
One of the things that gives some people trouble when they first start an exercise program is distinguishing between the pain that signals potential damage to the body, and the hurt that comes from stressing the body during a beneficial workout. The philosophy of "no pain, no gain" has fallen out of favor, but the reality is that exercising joints and muscles and respiratory systems that have lain fallow for months or years is going to be uncomfortable to some extent.
At the same time, there's a type of pain that should be a clear signal that whatever you're doing, you need to stop it, and stop it now. Any kind of sharp pain that comes on suddenly is likely such an indicator. However, sometimes that kind of pain will ease when you back off the level of intensity of whatever activity you're doing, and the dangerous temptation is to "work through it" by keeping on until the pain subsides*.
A person with years of fitness training should be able to discern between discomfort that can be "worked through" and that which will result in damage if such a tactic is employed. A wise person will quit and return to the workout another day, after taking time to rest and assess the potential reason(s) for the pain.
And so it is with great embarrassment that I confess that I'm today hobbling around with a bad knee because – despite 25 years of experience that should have prepared me to make a better decision – I chose to "run through" the pain yesterday and now I'm paying the price.
Someone once said that pain is nature's way of reminding you that you're alive. Fine. But it also appears to be nature's way of occasional reminding you that you're stupid.
*Sometimes, the pain subsides because the body part has gone numb. In my case, that numbness usually begins with my head.
Eric you might want to try the WiiFit, it's not as hard on ya, especially if you have soft carpet.
Yesterday the WiiFit was unleashed and I picked one up. First impression is: It's a blast and it really does get your heart rate up. Things you'll discover are: what you think is your center of gravity isn't, you aren't as coordinated as you think and you can get a full workout in your living room (yoga, strength training, aerobics, balance games and jogging on WiiFit island). To tell you how well this thing it thought out, I was concerned that I might have to get a board to place the Wii Balance Board on, Nintendo thought of this and included extra high feet for thicker carpets.
I think WiiFit has a lot potential especially for people that don't have time for a gym, allergies or don't want people watching them throwing their flubber around ... lol.
Day 2 of the WiiFit and I'm not sore yet.
Nah, it's not permanent. The last time it happened – oh, I forgot to mention that, didn't I? – it took only a couple of years to get back to where I needed to be.
Posted by: Eric at May 22, 2008 12:35 PMDay 2 of the WiiFit and I'm not sore yet.
Then you're not working hard enough. ;-)
Posted by: Eric at May 22, 2008 12:36 PMGet well soon.
Speaking of working out despite an injury, when are you going to post your reflection on the most recent season of Dancing with the Stars?
Posted by: soccer dad at May 22, 2008 12:37 PMKnees are the most unforgiving of joints. We take them for granted until we can't, and then it's hard to imagine that even just sitting can be so painful when the knees aren't what they should be. Hope it repairs itself without need of surgery...and quickly!
I tried "swimming through" shoulder bursitis as a teenager and it ultimately took about 6 months of no swimming to fully recover. It's not always easy to tell the difference.
Posted by: Gwynne at May 22, 2008 01:36 PMThanks, SD. And I don't know if I'll post about DWTS this time around. Kristi Y was a lock from dance one of week one; they might as well have put Ginger Rogers into the line-up (well, except for that being dead thing and all) (she is dead, isn't she?). Anyway, I guess we know what Olympic ice skaters can do when they retire.
Gwynne, I know an awful lot of folks who might take a knee injury over a shoulder any day! Personally, I prefer neither one; if I had to choose an injury it would be something like a sprained eyelash. Anyway, you touched on a serious point, and that's how difficult it is for competitive athletes and young ones to decide to back off from pain during a workout. It takes a lot of discipline and maturity to decide to rest instead of pushing through.
Posted by: Eric at May 22, 2008 02:47 PMPoor Eric! That's not too good.
Posted by: Rachel at May 22, 2008 03:59 PMHey, you know what they say ..... "no pain, no pain' ..... well. that's what I say, at least .....
Seriously, take it easy, get well soon.
Rachel, we had a dance last night and I soldiered through. It actually gave me a good excuse. Most observers think I dance like I'm injured anyway. ;-)
Thanks, Jeff. Pain is overrated, if you ask me.
Posted by: Eric at May 23, 2008 10:54 AMAbout the publisher
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Ugh.
Hope there was no permanent damage!
Posted by: beth at May 22, 2008 12:16 PM