Discomfort vs. Injury

Harrisburg Magazine—October 1, 2015

Harrisburg Magazine reports on how to tell the difference between muscle soreness and pain associated with exercise. According to the article, some athletes ignore pain while working out, which has the potential to cause or worsen an injury.

According to Jordan D. Metzl, MD, a sports medicine physician at Hospital for Special Surgery, notes that if you feel a sharp, stabbing pain or ache during or after exercise, you should do the following: During the first 48 hours, ice the injury a few times a day or wrap it with a compression bandage and elevate the affected area. After the first two days, ease back into exercise, starting at about 25 to 50 percent of your normal workout volume. If the pain is not resolving itself or has gotten worse after seven to 10 days, check with your physician, as you may have an injury that could be made worse with continued exercise. Exercise should not cause extreme pain. If it does, you should stop immediately and consult with a health care professional.

This article originally appeared at www.harrisburgmagazine.com.