Pain happens: Injury
If you are an active person, you have seen multiple benefits: greater strength, flexibility, balance, better health, more energy... and doctors will tell you that your quality of life will be better for longer. But you also know that injuries happen.
Injury and Exercise
Sadly, many people will see an injury as a sign to quit. I guarantee that there is no advantage to stopping exercise because of injury. Yes, there are times when a day or two of rest is called for, but doctors are now encouraging movement as therapy for almost any injury. Your instructor should also be able to guide you in deciding how to handle an injury.
For me, being over 40 means bouts of tendonitis, here... there... and everywhere. I've been fighting plantar fasciitis lately, and after conversations with other martial artists who are my age or older, I found out this is very common. It's not a game ender, though. After 20 years of Taekwondo, what works best for me is to wear an appropriate brace for support, go easy on that area until the pain lessens, and use ice or heat as needed. But I don't skip class. Again, ask your instructor for guidance. If pain, swelling, or bruising seems severe, see a doctor to make sure there is not a need for medical intervention. I was surprised to learn that for foot pain, rolling the foot over a golf ball, walking on one's toes, and carefully stretching the calf are all very beneficial.
If you are struggling with an injury, try these three websites. The first is an encouraging article that explains how continuing to exercise can speed healing. The second explains how to cope mentally with the reality of an injury. The third offers useful techniques used by professional athletes to help them heal more quickly and come back strong.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=88952
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportspsychology/a/Injury_Coping.htm
http://mindsportlive.com/Articles/Article/?articleId=235
Injury and Exercise
Sadly, many people will see an injury as a sign to quit. I guarantee that there is no advantage to stopping exercise because of injury. Yes, there are times when a day or two of rest is called for, but doctors are now encouraging movement as therapy for almost any injury. Your instructor should also be able to guide you in deciding how to handle an injury.
For me, being over 40 means bouts of tendonitis, here... there... and everywhere. I've been fighting plantar fasciitis lately, and after conversations with other martial artists who are my age or older, I found out this is very common. It's not a game ender, though. After 20 years of Taekwondo, what works best for me is to wear an appropriate brace for support, go easy on that area until the pain lessens, and use ice or heat as needed. But I don't skip class. Again, ask your instructor for guidance. If pain, swelling, or bruising seems severe, see a doctor to make sure there is not a need for medical intervention. I was surprised to learn that for foot pain, rolling the foot over a golf ball, walking on one's toes, and carefully stretching the calf are all very beneficial.
If you are struggling with an injury, try these three websites. The first is an encouraging article that explains how continuing to exercise can speed healing. The second explains how to cope mentally with the reality of an injury. The third offers useful techniques used by professional athletes to help them heal more quickly and come back strong.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=88952
http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/sportspsychology/a/Injury_Coping.htm
http://mindsportlive.com/Articles/Article/?articleId=235
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