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How To Tell When Pain Is Bad When Exercising

If you’ve just started a new exercise regimen, it is common to experience some soreness and aches as your body adjusts to the new movements. The fact is, that activities such as weight-lifting and cardiovascular exercises put stress on the body, but through that, strength and endurance are achieved.

But what happens if you experience pain during a workout; should you just push through it? No pain, no gain, right?

Not quite! Our physical therapy team at Impact Medical Zephryhills explains when you should listen to your body’s pain cues, and some tips to prevent pain when exercising.

Can Pain Be “Good” When Exercising?

Before we get started, yes, “good pain” does exist. When you feel soreness or achiness after a workout, this is usually due to mild inflammation in your muscles that in turn will help them get stronger.

We consider this kind of pain when working out “acceptable.” It will generally last for a few days as your body adjusts to the new movements, but it should not hinder you from continuing to exercise.

Sharp or Persistent Pain

While muscle soreness after hiking, weight-lifting, or doing squats is normal, sharp or persistent pain when you are exercising is not something to ignore.

Generally, pain is a signal that you are injured or have a muscle strain. This can happen due to overuse or an overload on a muscle or tendon. Any kind of sharp pain means you should stop exercising immediately. Your body is trying to tell you something, so this is not to time to grin and bare it. Pushing through the pain will not help you get better results, it could hinder your progress if you’re laid up indefinitely.

If you experience any of the following symptoms, we recommend visiting our physicians at Impact Medical Zephyrhills:

Sudden sharp pain
Any pain that prevents that decreases your range of motion
Pain that causes weakness or limping
Pain where you had surgery or a previous injury
Pain with excessive swelling
Pain that is constant and is not relieved by ice, rest, or NSAIDs

Any of these symptoms could mean that you have an injury, and putting more strain on the affected muscles or tendons will cause more pain and possible damage.

How to Manage Pain During and After Exercising

Remember, if you feel any sharp pain when exercising, stop and rest, and if the pain does not go away within a few hours, we recommend making an appointment with a doctor.

Otherwise, if you are experiencing muscle soreness, here are a few tips to help you manage the pain from physical activity:

Modify your exercise program and take rest days in between days where you exert yourself more such as when you are weightlifting
Switch to a different exercise like walking, yoga, biking, etc.
Make sure you are properly warming up and cooling down before and after exercising.
Wear comfortable shoes
Drink more water and stay hydrated during your workout

How Physical Therapy Combats Pain

If you are experiencing aches and pain after a workout and it is holding you back from doing what you love, our physical therapists at Impact Medical Zephyrhills are here to help!

First, we will perform a medical evaluation to ensure that there is nothing more serious that is causing or contributing to your pain. From there, we will design a program that will address and help treat your pain points.

Generally, we teach our clients exercises and stretches that can improve:

Range of motion
Flexibility
Strengthen muscles
Prevent and treat pain

Remember, some aches and soreness are completely normal after exercising, but if you notice severe pain or chronic pain, that’s when we recommend coming in for an evaluation with our team.

Visit Impact Medical Zephyrhills

Are you experiencing more than achiness and soreness when exercising? Don’t push through the pain! Call our friendly physical therapists at Impact Medical Zephyrhills for a consultation! We specialize in pain management and healing injuries and are ready to help you feel your best.

Schedule an appointment by calling (813) 706-5156 today!

Can I Go To A Physical Therapist For Hand or Wrist Pain After An Accident?

Believe it or not, wrist and hand injuries are common after car accidents, due to the complexity of the bones and tendons within them. But can you go to a physical therapist for these injuries?

Absolutely. There are several kinds of wrist and hand injuries that physical therapists can treat including:

Wrist tendonitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Arthritis
Trigger finger
Sprains
Strains

Working with a physical therapist at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel can help with inflammation and range of motion. Keep reading to discover how!

Common Wrist and Hand Injuries After an Accident

In an accident, wrist sprains and strains, as well as fractures occur often. But inflammation of tendons that leads to tendonitis is also very common.

Let’s take a look at some common injuries:

#1. Wrist Tendonitis

Though this is caused most commonly by repetitive actions like working at a computer or playing a sport, people can also get tendonitis from an accident.

If your wrist is overextended and becomes irritated and inflamed, you may experience the following symptoms of tendonitis:

Pain where the arm meets the hand and radiates up the elbow
Pain on either side of the wrist near the thumb or little finger
Pain when the wrist is used
Swelling in the wrist
Tenderness in the forearm, hand, and wrist muscles
Decreased ability to use the wrist

#2. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A little-known fact about carpal tunnel syndrome is that it isn’t just caused by excessive keyboard usage. It can also be caused by a traumatic injury sustained in a car accident.

If an injury or inflammation from an injury impinges the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel of the wrist, you may feel the following symptoms:

Pain in the wrist
Weakness
Tingling
Numbness in the hand, wrist, and fingers

#3. Sprains & Strains

Sprains and strains are some of the most common injuries that we see in patients who have been in car accidents.

A wrist sprain happens when the tissues that connect the bones in the wrist are injured. You may have felt a popping or tearing at the time of injury and swelling, bruising, anf tenderness of the wrist are common symptoms.

A wrist strain occurs when there is an injury to the tissue or muscle that attaches the muscles to a bone.

How Does Physical Therapy Treat Wrist and Hand Injuries?

At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we recommend addressing hand and wrist injuries or pain as soon as possible for optimal recovery. Targeted exercises and stretches can help control inflammation, and gradually work toward restoring range of motion and strength to the hand and wrist.

First, we always begin each appointment with a consultation and evaluation of the joints and tendons. We will have you complete tests where we will assess your range of motion and strength, and make note of any symptoms, such as pain or weakness that you are experiencing.

Common modalities that we may use to treat wrist and hand injuries include:

Bracing: We may use a finger splint or wrist brace to restrict movement while the injury heals.

Ice or Heat Therapy: We use ice to alleviate pain, and may use heat to help ease joint pain if arthritis is detected.

Manual Therapy: By gently stretching or manipulating the joints and soft tissues, we can decrease pain and help restore movement.

Exercises: We will employ various exercises to enhance range of motion, and strengthen the hand and wrists.

At Impact Medical Wesley Chapel, we will design a complete protocol just for you to ensure we are addressing the unique symptoms that you are experiencing. This is not a one-size-fits-all treatment!

Reach out to Impact Medical Wesley Chapel

Wrist and hand injuries can cause chronic and long-lasting pain and weakness if left ignored. So, if you are experiencing any kind of wrist or hand pain after a car crash, don’t wait. Get treatment from a physical therapist as soon as possible.

Contact Impact Medical Wesley Chapel for a physical therapy consultation by calling (813) 953-1002 today!

Can Untreated Head Trauma or TBIs Cause Seizures?

When it comes to head injuries, understanding the potential long-term consequences is a critical step in personal health management. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs), as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), can lead to a variety of immediate and delayed health issues, including the development of epilepsy and seizures.

The Post-Trauma Seizure Risk

Emerging from a significant blow to the head, one might rightly be concerned about immediate symptoms such as confusion or memory loss—yet the risk doesn’t end with the initial trauma. It is vital that patients and the public, especially those at high risk due to environmental factors or previous injuries, recognize the potential for post-traumatic seizures, even long after an injury is sustained.

These seizures, which occur because of the brain’s physiological response to injury, can manifest in various forms, each with its own set of symptoms and implications. Due to this variability, recognizing and responding to a seizure requires an informed approach, one made stronger through support networks and medical guidance.

Spotting the Silent Symptoms

Seizures following a TBI are often easily mistaken for transient quirks of personal health instead of potential indicators of a deeper complication. Some of the symptoms to watch out for include:

Momentary lapses in consciousness or attention, where an individual may appear to “zone out” or become unresponsive for a brief period.
Unnoticeable or slight twitches, which could be dismissed as minor, involuntary muscle movements or quirks, rather than being recognized as potential seizure activity.
Subtle behavioral changes or disturbances in mood that might not be immediately linked to a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or seizure activity.
Brief episodes of confusion or disorientation, which may be overlooked as fatigue or stress-related incidents.
Sudden, unexplained memory gaps or difficulties recalling recent events, possibly attributed to inattentiveness rather than neurological issues stemming from a TBI.
Minor sensory disturbances, like fleeting changes in vision, hearing, or smell, that might not be connected to underlying brain injury complications.

It is these subtler, yet significant, signs that demand attention, offered through the lens of a valuable resource like Impact Medical Group. This heightened awareness can mean the difference between unchecked symptoms and prompt medical intervention—a vital distinction for those at risk.

Navigating the Path to Prevention

Prevention is as crucial as recognition in the management of TBIs. Strategies for minimizing these devastating injuries include the universal application of seat belts, adherence to safety guidelines during sports, and ongoing vigilance in environments where falls or collisions are more likely.

Preventing TBI can circumvent the cascade of events leading to post-traumatic epilepsy and an increased seizure risk. It’s an approach rooted in practicality and filled with everyday steps that contribute to overall health and well-being, nurturing a society educated and empowered in the face of potential trauma.

Seek Specialized TBI Care at Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg

TBIs are incredibly complex injuries, and their potential to cause seizures underscores the importance of seeking expert guidance. The TBI specialists at Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg are standing by to help. We provide the necessary support, expertise, and resources you need to mitigate the long-term consequences of head trauma. Call us today at (727) 722-8103 to schedule your free medical evaluation and start your journey toward recovery and well-being.

Bulging vs. Herniated Discs – Here’s How Their Treatments Differ

When it comes to back pain, not all conditions are created equal. Two terms that often cause confusion are “bulging disc” and “herniated disc.” While they might sound similar, the treatments for these conditions can differ significantly. Understanding the differences between bulging and herniated discs is critical for anyone looking to manage their back pain effectively.

What is a Bulging Disc?

Imagine the discs in your spine as jelly donuts. A bulging disc occurs when the outer layer of this “donut” (the disc) starts to bulge out evenly all around its circumference. It’s like if the jelly donut is squished, but the jelly hasn’t burst out. This condition is common and can be a part of the normal aging process. Many people with bulging discs don’t even feel pain. However, if the bulge is significant enough to press on nearby nerves, it can cause discomfort or pain.

What is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc, on the other hand, is when the jelly (in this case, a softer, inner part of the disc) actually breaks through the outer layer. This can lead to a more focused and often more painful experience because that jelly is now irritating the nearby nerves directly. Imagine the jelly donut again, but this time, the jelly has squeezed out through a tear in the donut. Ouch!

How Are the Treatments Different?

Since bulging and herniated discs can affect your body differently, their treatments vary too.

For Bulging Discs:

Physical Therapy: Since many bulging discs don’t cause severe pain, physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles around the spine, offering more support to the affected area.
Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage mild discomfort.
Lifestyle Changes: Sometimes, simply improving posture or modifying activities can reduce the pressure on a bulging disc.

For Herniated Discs:

Physical Therapy: More targeted exercises might be needed to relieve pressure on the nerve.
Medications: In addition to over-the-counter options, doctors may prescribe stronger medications or muscle relaxers for more severe pain.
Epidural Injections: Corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and pain directly at the site of the herniation.
Surgery: In cases where conservative treatments don’t help, surgery might be recommended to remove the part of the disc that’s pressing on a nerve.

No matter the issue, early intervention is key. Maintaining a healthy weight, practicing good posture, and avoiding repetitive stress on the spine can prevent many disc problems. If you’re experiencing back pain, it’s crucial to get it checked out early. The right diagnosis can lead to the right treatment, potentially avoiding further complications.

Manage Back Pain Effectively With the Help of Impact Medical Group of Lutz

If you’re tired of living with back pain and ready to take the first step toward a pain-free life, don’t wait. Call (813) 536-0373 to schedule your free medical evaluation at Impact Medical Group of Lutz today. Let us help you find the relief you’ve been searching for and get you back to enjoying life to its fullest.