Often one looks for an immediate injury when accessing the cause of their pain and seeking chiropractic treatment. Sometimes if the pain becomes chronic they start to become concerned about the underlying injury and consider the cause. However, what is surprising to most in the diagnosis of their pain, whether it be the neck, back, headaches or extremities, is that the injury and underlying cause occurred long before. Understanding this and its implications, one can consider the use of preventive action and regular maintenance to address concerns before they become problematic or significantly damaged. It’s for this reason that Doctor Overton suggests taking a proactive approach to relieving pain before it becomes a larger factor.
Like cancer and diabetes are found long after they begin, long-term pain is often associated with an injury that occurred long before it is noticed. While we may have injuries in our youth that we believe to be nothing important, after time it can spiral into a major cause of pain. Often, a chiropractor will find damage that has been done 10 to even 20 years before the pain becomes a major factor. It is for this reason that our chiropractor suggests the following action.
Take pain seriously
Pain is there for a reason. It is your body’s way of communicating to you that there is something wrong or something is being damaged. Most people are quick to respond when they see that the warning systems in their vehicles are going off. Why is it that so many of the same people will allow their pain to exist without taking note of it? Both warning systems are indicative of a greater problem, but the one concerning our body tends to take a second place. The chiropractic method is to pay attention to the pain since it is the first indicator we notice of a greater problem and not to ignore it or medicate so that one doesn’t feel it anymore. If we feel pain, we should investigate to ensure that the problem isn’t one that will spiral out of control.
Don’t “Walk It Off”
Aggravating an injury is a sure way to ensure that it gets worse, not better. We are culturally programmed and conditioned to “walk off” injuries that can be far more than just a pulled muscle. It’s often a joke that high school coaches told us all to “walk off” the painful injuries of our past. What’s not funny is that some of these injuries are complicated even further and lead to our chronic pain. A doctor’s and chiropractor’s effectiveness is directly relatable to the care you take with yourself. If you encounter and injury and decide to aggravate it further, there is only one likely result; the injury will be made worse. Over time, the “walk it off” moments can be more damaging than the initial injury. Instead of following the Ol’ Coach’s advice and rubbing some “dirt in it”, consider at least taking some basic steps of care.. ie. Rest, Icing, Elevation, Stretching.. ect.
Most importantly, take time to be kind to your body. In our fast-paced world (yes, Columbus, Georgia can be fast paced) we can trade our personal welfare and physical well-being for “the moment” and what it may offer. Our chiropractor, Dr. Ryan Overton, suggests that we simply remember that this is the only body we get, and to treat it well in the present so we have less pain in the future.
