We’ve all done it. Something starts to hurt, but it’s not bad enough to stop you completely, so you carry on and hope it settles down.
Sometimes it does, but sometimes that little niggle sticks around for weeks, gradually starts affecting how you move, and becomes something that is harder to ignore.
So, when is it worth getting it checked out?
You don’t have to wait until it’s really sore
You don’t need to be in significant pain or have a major injury before seeing a physio.
It might be a knee that has started hurting after running, a shoulder that’s becoming uncomfortable at work, a back that hasn’t settled after a few days, or a niggle that keeps coming back every time you get back into sport.
Getting it assessed can help you understand what is causing the problem and, importantly, what you should do about it.
Sometimes the answer is reassurance and a few simple changes. Sometimes you need a structured rehabilitation programme. And sometimes we may recommend getting something further investigated or referring you to another health professional.
The important thing is knowing what you’re dealing with rather than guessing and hoping for the best.
Why getting onto it early can help
For many musculoskeletal problems, continuing to move and gradually returning to normal activity is an important part of recovery. The right approach depends on the injury, though — doing too much too soon can be just as unhelpful as doing too little.
This is where an early assessment can be useful. Rather than stopping everything or trying to work it out yourself, you can get some guidance on what is appropriate for you.
Getting the right advice sooner can help you avoid unnecessary delays, understand what you can safely do, and start working towards getting back to the things you need and want to do.
One of the advantages of having a problem assessed early is simply getting a plan.
And if you’re thinking, “I should probably get this looked at, but I’ll have to wait weeks for an appointment,” that isn’t the case.
We often have same-day appointments available, so if you’ve woken up with a new injury, your usual niggle has suddenly become more painful, or something just isn’t improving, give us a call.
You don’t have to wait until it becomes a bigger problem.
Got a niggle? Don’t wait. Get in touch with us and let’s work out what’s going on.