Athletes Often Push Their Bodies Too Hard, Too Fast
Chiropractors can’t stress enough why athletes need to listen to their bodies. Athletes should follow the stoplight rule as a guide when exercising or participating in sports to avoid injury.
A green light means an athlete experiences soreness or pain that goes away in 24 hours and has not lost their range of motion. A yellow light means an athlete is sore, but the pain takes between 24 and 72 hours to leave, and their range of motion is good. A red light means limited movement, intense pain, and the urgent need for the athlete to seek treatment. If you’re experiencing intense pain, schedule an appointment with our chiropractic team today.
Ignoring The Body’s Signals Can Lead To Injuries
A major reason why athletes need to listen to their bodies is damage prevention. You may have strained or injured yourself while playing a sport and decided to do your normal workout routine. Instead of modifying your workout or performing lighter exercises, you ignore the pain and develop a bad injury.
Nobody wants to experience irreversible or excruciating injuries that you could have avoided. Being stubborn or prideful can get you hurt. This mindset can also prevent you from playing the sports you love.
Your athletic career and body could suffer if you ignore the pain signals your body sends.
Pain Is The Body’s Way Of Telling You Something Is Wrong
Powering through pain does more harm than good because our brains perceive pain as a threat. Our body is constantly working to keep us safe and healthy, so pain tells us we are doing too much or working too hard. Assessing your body’s range of motion means you are listening to your body and protecting yourself.
The solution to these signals may be participating in more stretching, not exceeding your body’s limits. Modifying a specific workout can also lower pain signals.
Listening to pain is not a sign of weakness and does not make anyone less of an athlete. It means the athlete is caring for themselves and keeping their bodies in peak shape.
Is There Pain Relief For Athletes Experiencing Sciatica or Other Types of Pain?
Sciatica pain has numerous causes, but the most common we see at Upstate Spine & Sport is a bulging, herniated, or slipped disk. Sciatica is a symptom of an irritated sciatic nerve, which travels from the pelvis down the leg. A pinched sciatic nerve can cause patients to experience a lot of pain.
Dr. Jolson has helped many patients and professional athletes minimize their unbearable sciatica pain. Our sciatica treatment plans begin with diagnosing and identifying the cause of the athlete’s sciatica pain. We offer hands-on care such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, or physical therapy, but every patient differs in their treatment journey.
Rest Is Just As Important As Exercise
Getting a good night’s sleep and allowing your body to rest is vital to healthy athletes. You may eat the right foods and train hard. These steps become ineffective if you do not recover when your body requires it.
On the other hand, resting more than exercising and vice versa may not be beneficial. It’s all about striking a healthy balance.
You will not perform as well in sports or exercising if you never stop and give your body a break. Rest days allow your body to recover from the strain and movements of exercise, providing time to replenish your energy levels. You will be a better athlete if you work hard and rest when necessary.
Greenville Chiropractic Clinic | Upstate Spine & Sport
An experienced sports chiropractor can help athletes feel and perform their best while minimizing pain. Dr. David Jolson and Dr. Tanner Garey are Greenville’s trusted and preferred chiropractors who have helped many athletes recover from sports injuries. They help patients of all ages find pain relief with a wide range of treatment methodologies.
To prevent injuries and allow you to do the things you love, Upstate Spine & Sport emphasizes why athletes need to listen to their bodies. Why suffer from pain that disrupts your daily routine? Schedule your chiropractic consultation with Upstate Spine & Sport by filling out our online form or contacting us at (864) 400-8005.
