As an athletic trainer for Covington Catholic High School, I see lots of bumps, bruises and injuries that can be painful. The golden rule in the world of sports medicine is to use pain as a guide. This rule applies to patients doing rehab in the sports medicine clinic, and to athletes who play a contact sport.
Is it pain or simply soreness?
It can be difficult to differentiate between pain and soreness. Symmetrical or bilateral soreness after strenuous lifting or new activities is often typical. Pain experienced because of one specific movement, or a gradual increase in pain during activity, is a key indicator of an injury. This is why it is extremely important to listen to your body.
Don’t suffer in silence
Many athletes feel the need to work through pain after suffering a muscle strain or ligament sprain, even when their body is indicating they should stop. If your gait is abnormal while running or you are apprehensive during any type of movement, it is essential to stop the exercise or activity and consult with a sports medicine professional as soon as possible.
High school athletes should never play through any type of pain caused by a specific movement, but can work through muscle soreness to a certain extent. It can be beneficial to have an athletic trainer do a quick evaluation and steer athletes down the safest path.
Athletic trainers are a valuable resource for athletes at most levels of competition and are glad to assist in any way. Some coaches and parents may encourage their athletes to work through pain, but athletic trainers can be a neutral party with a focus on safety first. Do not hesitate to reach out, as athletic trainers have the athletes’ best interests in mind.
Check out my video below, and head over to YouTube to see tips from other St. Elizabeth athletic trainers.
