For athletes, pain is an all too familiar feeling. Pain is a part of every athlete’s life, whether it’s the ache of muscles after a long training session, the sting of a new injury, or the throbbing of an old one. While some degree of pain is to be expected, it’s important to understand when the pain becomes problematic and how to manage it effectively.
The Effects of Unmanaged Pain
Unmanaged pain in athletes can have several severe and long-term consequences. First, unmanaged pain might prevent an athlete from training or performing well. It can also cause muscles to tighten and contract, putting strain on joints and tendons.
In the long run, unmanaged pain might lead to persistent issues such as anxiety, depression, irritability, sexual dysfunction, disrupted sleeping, eating, and mobility. It’s important to understand the different types of pain and how to manage them effectively to avoid these serious consequences.
Different Types of Pain
There are two main types of pain: acute and chronic.
Acute pain is characterized by a sudden onset and is often caused by an injury or illness. It tends to be short-lived, subsiding once the underlying cause has been treated or healed. In most cases, acute pain will resolve within six months.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, is a type of pain that lingers for months or even years. It can be caused by an injury, illness, or conditions like arthritis. Chronic pain can make it difficult to perform everyday activities and can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety. It is typically the consequence of long-term diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, or nerve damage. Pain can last for weeks, months, or even years in chronic cases. Even when it subsides completely, it may return at any moment in certain circumstances.
Managing Pain Effectively
There are several ways to treat pain effectively, both on your own and with the help of a healthcare professional. First, it’s important to identify the source of your pain. This will help you determine the best course of treatment. For example, if you have a knee injury, this will require a different approach than if you are dealing with lower back pain. Treating knee pain will require a focus on strengthening the muscles around the knee joint while managing lower back pain might require stretching and relaxation exercises.
Several self-care treatments can help you manage pain effectively.
Rest
Rest is often the best remedy if your pain is due to overuse or muscle soreness. Allow your body time to recover so that you can avoid further injury. Proper rest allows the body to repair itself and can prevent chronic pain from developing. It also gives the mind a chance to recover from the stress of managing pain. Resting can be difficult for athletes who are used to pushing themselves, but it is essential for managing pain effectively.
Ice
Ice can be an effective treatment for both acute and chronic pain. It helps reduce inflammation and can numb the area, providing relief from pain. Apply ice for 20 to 30 minutes several times a day. Applying an ice pack to an injury can help reduce swelling, bleeding, and pain.
Heat
Heat can help relax muscles and relieve tension headaches. Apply heat for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Heat therapy helps increase the temperature of the afflicted area, leading to better circulation and blood flow to that area. This can ease stiff or sore muscles.
Stretching
Stretching might help to increase flexibility and reduce stiffness. To avoid injuring yourself further, warm up before stretching. Increased flexibility, range of motion, sports performance, injury prevention, muscular soreness reduction, improved posture, and stress reduction are all benefits of stretching.
Massage
Massage therapy can help to relieve muscle tension, increase blood flow, and reduce stress. It can be used to treat both acute and chronic pain. A massage therapist will use different techniques depending on the pain you are experiencing. Professionals can and should only do massages because there is a risk of further injury if done incorrectly.
Medication
Over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and pain. If your pain is severe, you may need prescription medication from your healthcare provider. Prescribed medicine is important to get from a professional to avoid potential addiction or dependency. Medications include opioids (strong painkillers that are typically only prescribed for short-term use), antidepressants (which can help relieve certain types of chronic pain, such as nerve pain), and anticonvulsants (typically used to treat seizures but can also be effective in managing nerve pain).
The Bottom Line
While some degree of pain is inevitable for athletes, it’s important to understand when it becomes problematic and how to manage it effectively. Left untreated, unmanaged pain can lead to interference with training and performance and injuries caused by muscle tightness and spasms.
There are several effective ways to treat pain; however, it’s important to identify the source and select the most appropriate treatment method. If you have any questions about managing your pain effectively, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider for more information.
