Five Minute Fix!
I wanted to write this blog post today to discuss when it is the appropriate time to seek help from a physical therapist for a physical ailment. We often experience general aches and pains, but when is it time to have it looked at more closely? The first thing I will tell you is this: If you feel a pop, click, have bruising, and/or swelling you should consider seeking medical attention pretty quickly. The sooner an injury is treated the better. You can have an MD, orthopedist, or a physical therapist examine your injury to determine its severity.
Regarding less acute injuries, one of the ways I help individuals determine the potential need for physical therapy is by telling them to try what I call the 5 minute fix. This is something to take note of during your exercise routine or while you are performing activities you enjoy. Upon performing an activity, if you feel a pain, ache or recognize that your form is lacking, stop what you’re doing and rest for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes try the activity again. Are you continuing to feel discomfort or is your form still lacking? If so, that’s okay. Try and lower the speed or intensity of your activity or exercise. If that does not seem to help then it’s beneficial to switch the activity for the day (it’s always a good idea to switch it up anyway, so this isn’t necessary a bad thing). However, doing so still may not work for you and if it doesn’t, then it’s your body’s way of telling you to stop for the day. Not every day is going to be perfect when it comes to your body. Sometimes we physically just need a break. The good news is, if this happens then try again tomorrow! If you notice that the issue is no longer present then that is a good sign! However, if you notice that the issue is still present (even minimally), it may be a good idea to get it looked at by a professional.
Untreated or ignored injuries of course can worsen over time. If not remediated early, you can be up against a longer recovery period which means being unable to do the physical activities you enjoy for longer periods of time. Who wants that? I know I don’t that’s for sure! Again, if the tips I provided earlier don’t seem to help, you should seek some help.
If you have pain or discomfort and would like me to take a closer look, feel free to email me or call me with any questions or concerns. During the phone call I will ask you some questions and help you to figure out what is going on. I may need to see you in person as well, but good news! I offer a free (yes free!) total body assessment. There is limited availability each week, so don’t wait! They are first come, first serve so be sure to secure your spot today. Let me show you how I can help!
