It’s common for people to attribute their pain to aging, but this reasoning often overlooks the underlying issues. I frequently hear patients say, “I must be getting old” to explain their pain. I respond by asking if their right leg is any older than their left. If age were the sole cause, wouldn’t both legs be equally symptomatic? Often, through a functional exam, I uncover the true source of their pain.
We’ve been misled into believing in “growing pains” and “aging pains,” but these are myths. Pain is simply your body signaling that something isn’t right. Ignoring or masking it can lead to more significant problems over time. Eventually, the body may no longer compensate, and you might experience severe pain seemingly out of nowhere.
Consider this analogy: if your car’s dashboard warning light comes on, you wouldn’t cut the wire to the light; you’d call a mechanic to address the underlying issue. Similarly, masking pain with painkillers is like cutting that warning light. While painkillers might offer short-term relief, they don’t address the root cause and can have long-term consequences. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are commonly used for pain relief, but they come with potential downsides. While they can alleviate pain temporarily, they may also increase scar formation during the healing process.
When dealing with pain, inflammation is often involved. Inflammation is your body’s way of protecting and isolating an injured area. An effective initial treatment is ice. It’s inexpensive, safe, and can help reduce pain and inflammation. Apply ice for 15 minutes, then take a 15-minute break, and repeat as much as possible within the first 24 hours. Afterward, switch to 20-minute sessions with an hour off in between. If you put ice right on the skin you freeze the skin and can cause ice burn. For the cold to penetrate put a damp, thin cloth between the ice pack and your skin.
Movement is also crucial for healing. Gentle, pain-free motion can promote quicker and better recovery. Research shows that animals with joint injuries healed faster when they were allowed to move compared to those kept immobilized.
In summary, pain is a valuable signal from your body. Instead of masking it, address the underlying issue. If pain persists beyond 24 hours or becomes unmanageable, seek professional advice. While pain-relief medications can be necessary, remember they often come with side effects and do not solve the underlying problem.
For more information or personalized advice, feel free to contact me at [email protected]