Is That A “Good Pain” or “Bad Pain” You’re Experiencing?

We all know the saying, “No pain, no gain” all too well. But do we ever stop to think about what it actually means?

Instead of thinking of that statement in the figurative sense, most people take the saying quite literally. Regrettably, it could end in an orthopedic injury.

Nothing is more important than listening to what exactly our bodies are telling us during and even after exercise. Indeed, there is a “good pain” and a “bad pain.” It’s tremendously important to understand which pain you’re having – a good one or a bad one.

Good Pain

Delayed onset muscle soreness, also known as DOMS, is clinically the most common kind of good pain. DOMS transpires as a result of stimulating a muscle or muscle group from exercise. Normally, one or two days later you will start to feel some soreness with the muscles that were challenged. The pain may increase when pressure is applied to the affected muscles. Soreness is also inclined to range across a significant muscle region.

An example of this type of pain is when you decide to go down to the park and play some pick-up basketball. You haven’t played in years, so you’re not over doing it. But within half an hour of the game, your legs start to burn.

The next day it hurts to squat, bend down, and to pretty much move your legs in any fashion. Your thigh muscles haven’t moved like that in years, so you’re bound to be a little sore for the next few days.

When soreness like this appears, your muscles are developing into stronger and leaner muscles. If you went back to the basketball court after a few days of taking it easy, the pain would not be nearly as rough the second time around. This is one of the times that, “No pain, no gain” is appropriate and true.

Bad Pain

“Bad pain” is not to be taken as lightly. It arrives within your body in many different ways. However, the most common type of bad pain is usually joint pain. When you’re experiencing pain in your joints and not in your muscles, your body is trying to notify you that something is wrong.

Don’t think you can just work through the joint pain during your daily workout routine, because that would only be making matters worse.

If you’re having the same pain every time you engage in physical activity, then you need to make an appointment with your doctor. If the pain is impulsive and piercing, do not continue your work out but see a doctor immediately. You do not want to hurt yourself any further.

Radicular pain is another common type of bad pain. Radicular pain is when you feel a pain shoot from one area in your body to another. The pain could shoot down your arm or leg, which means it could be from pressure or perhaps trauma that has transpired within your spinal cord.

If you’re not quite sure if your pain is good or bad, or if you are feeling persistent pain, be sure to have a physician take a look. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

PhysioDC of Washington, D.C.

Daniel Baumstark and his professional team of physical therapists operate a boutique physical therapy office in downtown Washington, D.C. From athletes to government officials, and from ballerinas to corporate executives, PhysioDC helps people recover, strengthen and return to healthy living. Visit their website at www.PhysioDC.com (link) or call them at 202-223-8500.