No Pain, No Gain Can Equal Injury - How To Tell What is a Good Pain?

As the saying goes for athletes and gym goers: “No pain, no gain”. But when should that pain start to be a concern that you may actually be injured?

We break down positive pain vs. negative pain you should be mindful of after working out.

Positive Pain

When you feel a burning sensation in your muscles during certain exercises like lifting weights, your muscles are building up lactic acid. This burning sensation should stop after you put down the weights.

You may also experience delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This soreness - that occurs post workouts - is a common pain consisting of aches that begin a few hours after exercise and than last a couple of days. It often is experienced when a you start a new exercise or increase the intensity of your current workout, typically something in which your body isn’t used to yet.

These generalized aches occur due to microscopic injury to muscle fibers and connective tissue from the stress of the exercise. However, these pains shouldn’t prevent you from performing normal daily activities.

Negative Pain

While you should anticipate some soreness after exercising and workouts, pay close attention to anything out of the ordinary or if it lasts longer than usual. Severe pain could be a result of injury including a stress fracture or tear. If you’re in doubt, it’s best to contact your doctor.

If you suffer from the following pains, get treatment from a medical professional as soon as possible:

• Sharp pains that prevent you from moving certain body parts, decreases your range of motion or prevents you from moving completely.
• Pains in an area that has suffered injury or surgery
• Pains that trigger deformity or swelling
• Pains continue or worsen even after several days of rest, ice or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication
• Pressure or bruising is involved
• Intense pains that cause nausea and/or vomiting
• Associated with chills and fevers

The Gelliflex^®® Abacus^® offers some relief during the healing process of sore muscles. Check out different techniques you can use to trigger sore areas including your arms, elbows, hands, and fingers.