Managing pain and injury.

Something that is likely to raise its head at some point in our lives. A period of time where we struggle to manage some form of pain or injury. In this article, I will offer my opinion on how to best manage this sometimes rather difficult period and be proactive in how you look to adapt and overcome it!

First things first, it goes without saying that we should get the opinion of a suitably qualified health professional, especially if the pain or injury happened quite suddenly and is limiting your ability to complete everyday tasks and responsibilities. It is also important to seek further evaluation if pain is getting worse or staying the same as time goes on.

Once you are confident there is nothing too sinister at play(in many cases, there isn’t but it can be reassuring and often advised to ensure you have been adequately assessed) - it is time to start the self-management of your symptoms. Often this will simply be looking at focusing on what you CAN do in the early stages of the process. There will often be a number of things you may not be in a position to do early on, but as time goes on, it is plausible that we start to move towards getting back to these tasks, one at a time if necessary.

Activity is one of the more important variables I would focus on in the early stages and look to increase this as time goes on. Yes, rest is important - but an adequate amount of activity each day is what is going to ensure you limit the risks of things deteriorating further while ensuring you are continuing to maintain a certain amount of movement each day. This could simply be a brisk walk in the evening to hit your daily step target, for a distance that you can complete without aggravating any pain or causing discomfort. Adapting your gym program to maybe lift lighter weights for certain movements and maybe allocating more time and attention to other exercises that aren’t going to aggravate or cause any major discomfort.

Next up, I would look more holistically at your situation. How is your sleep? Your nutrition? Your stress levels? Usually when we are going through some form of pain or injury - these variables are often out of whack. What we are starting to understand more and more as we better understand the intricacies of pain and injury - these things matter! If you work on improving your sleep, your diet and your stress levels(to name a few) you will likely start to see an improvement in your symptoms.

The take home here - motion is lotion and less stress will often result in more success. This is usually achieved by moving more often and progressing this as able, continuing to do your daily activities where able, and working on your sleep hygiene and diet to create a more favourable environment for your body to heal and adapt. 

If you are on the fence about online coaching and want to know a little bit more about the process - just email me the word “ready” and I will be in touch!

I am also delighted to announce that I am now offering an in person Personal Training service at kingfisher fitness club Waterford! Please get in touch through the contact information below or call into reception to check availability and avoid disappointment as spaces are limited! Please visit my new website www.coachedbycashel.com for more info!

Lastly, I would also like to clarify that I am not a registered dietician. All advice disclosed here is simply advisory based on my qualifications as a fitness professional and personal experience and knowledge gained working with individuals and helping them reach their goals. The advice given is not designed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health problem - nor is it intended to replace the advice of a physician. Always consult your physician or qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health. 

I hope someone out there found some of this information useful here, just some food for thought. For any questions in relation to this topic or training, nutrition, etc. or for coaching inquiries simply message me on my business page on instagram @coachedbycashel_ or by email - contact@coachedbycashel.com