Pain is a complicated subject. And as I come closer to a big race I am training for, I am sure likely to feel aches and pains as I always do. And then, no doubt, after the race, the pains will just disappear. It is really interesting how our bodies and minds are connected. A bit of worry, stress and excitement for a race can trigger messages in the brain that go on to produce pain. I wonder if it is my body trying to stop me, haha! I wrote about such an incident here.
Of course, pain can be caused by tissue damage so it is necessary to be treated by a professional, but it is always worth looking for patterns like I did.
A few years back, I went to a course about pain run by Greg Lehman. It was directed more at medical professionals like physiotherapists and osteopaths, but I still managed to pick up a lot of useful information. I share some here in my blogs 3 pain facts, Pain – extra thought and Thoughts on pain.
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Although I don’t treat pain, some people do get some relief when they follow my biomechanics coaching exercises. If you are curious to know how it works, have a look at the blog post about lower back pain I wrote.
I have created a short list of things that you can do to help prevent pain:
Movement – bodies are designed to be hunters and gatherers not sit behind a computer 8 hours a day and then move to the TV and sit behind the TV. Movement is different from exercise. Movement can be walking, gardening, housework (I know, boring!), getting up regularly to get water, etc.
Reduce stress – stress can cause pain as well as being tense. If you are working hard, you can become tense, and that can be felt in your muscles and joints such as jaw, neck and shoulders. Stress can also cause illness resulting in pain.
Build up training gradually – for example, if you take up running, follow a beginner’s programme rather than deciding you are going to run every day.
Nutrition – a healthy diet by reducing ultra-processed foods as much as possible, eating your fruit and veg, omega 3s and drinking water can all help to keep pain at bay.
Biomechanics coaching – well, I can’t have a list without a skill of my own ;) By either coming for a programme of screenings and following exercises I prescribe on a personal basis or following my YouTube videos, you can already do some work to help prevent pain.
My main outcomes are that pain isn’t always indicative of tissue damage. You can take action to help prevent pain, and when you need help with pain, seek help and take advice from your medical professional.
I advise you to own the pain – i.e. follow the advice (exercise for example) and not expect to be “Fixed” by them.
Let me know via email or DM on social media if my tips have helped you manage the pain.
Author: Lorna Wilson
Like what you see? Then send me a message or e-mail. We can meet up for a chat and find out how I can help you improve your training and help reduce injury risk.
06 460 377 74 / lorna@wilsonsworkouts.nl
