| By: Julie Eibensteiner PT, DPT, CSCS How do I know if it’s OK to push through pain? We get this question a lot. ——————————- These are GENERAL GUIDELINES – these won’t apply to every situation but this is a good tool as a first line, filter of thoughts in your head as you are deciding what to do (or not do.) 5 Quick Guidelines: When Pain Is More Than Just Soreness 1. Does it cause your to swear or consider swearing? If its sharp, stabbing, or sudden pain — that’s not normal. Stop the activity. 2. Pain gets worse as you move or prevents you from moving altogether, instead of staying steady or easing up. If you had direct trauma (fell or got hit) and can’t bear weight for 3-4 steps – it’s urgent. 3. Pain lingers more than 2 days, or is messing with your sleep. Especially if you didn’t do any significant new activity. Pain that wakes you up at night – needs to be addressed. Speak up. 4. Weird sensations like tingling = red flag. Unexplained swelling or bruising should also get checked up, those are not part of the GAINS. 5. You’re changing how you move just to avoid the pain. If you have to seriously strategize how to get through your daily activities – also time get it checked out. Not sure if what you’re feeling is a normal part of training or something to take seriously? We’d be happy to help you sort it out! |
 This is humor. Not an actual pain scale. |