Why rest isn’t always the answer when it comes to pain?

Oftentimes the advice alongside pain and injury is rest. While in many cases this can be a safe and appropriate first response - it should not be misinterpreted as the treatment or management strategy. In the majority of cases there will be a more proactive approach to managing an injury or flare up of chronic conditions. So what can be considered a safe and effective management strategy when it comes to managing pain and injury? While the answer will often depend on the complexity of the case - there remains many universal actions we can take to improve outcomes down the line!

The first thing we want to assess - what can we do pain free? Often I experience people revert to doing nothing when it comes to how they define “rest” A more proactive outlook in my eyes is… “if you hurt your knee, ,why not rest it for a day or so before starting knee focused rehab and strengthening exercises - this does not halt everything else - if you can continue with your upper body exercise, core work and other activities that don’t cause any pain then this can often help the transition back to more favourable outcomes when it comes to pain and function.

Do not underestimate the power of movement and a positive and optimistic outlook on your current position. Yes it’s absolutely frustrating - but focusing instead on the areas you have a little more control on is more times than not your best move. A large majority of issues will resolve with some rest, yes, but more importantly is the graded and gradual exposure to activities that previously caused pain and noting small improvements week to week.

Equally important in my opinion is the outlook on injury in a certain sense to be seen as an opportunity to focus more attention elsewhere in improving in an area where you have the ability to train harder or with more specificity while you recover. For example, if you are struggling with a shoulder injury why not focus on doubling down your lower body strengthening or maybe cardiovascular work for a period of time as you progress through your shoulder rehab. There is likely always something we can be working on and developing despite some pain and injury!

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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