So you’ve finally done it. You’ve fulfilled that resolution made several years in a row and started a long overdue exercise regime. In fact you’re probably one of millions who have made such a promise this year. Maybe you already exercise…running, gym work, swimming, tennis, football, golf, even gardening, we’ve all got our preference, and we all know regular exercise is important as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. People who lead an active life are less likely to become ill and more likely to live longer. Exercise not only makes you physically fitter, it also improves your mental health and general sense of wellbeing. So, what’s the issue? Well, nothing if we do things properly. The problem arises when our best intentions result in unwelcome pain and injury.
As a Doctor of Chiropractic, I diagnose and treat a wide variety of neuromusculoskeletal injuries and pain syndromes all over the body, which arise for various reasons individual to each patient. However, we seem to be seeing an increasing number of exercise induced injuries, the vast majority of which are caused by a faulty or ill informed exercise technique, and nearly all of which are entirely preventable. ‘But how can this be?’ I hear you say, ‘I’m always very careful, and my technique isn’t half bad.’ Well, correct exercise form is something of a fine art, and irrespective of this, underlying mechanical problems of the body can predispose individuals to certain injuries, even when they’re on top form.
Current research on the topic certainly emphasises this risk: A national UK study of exercise related injury estimated that each year 29 million new or recurrent injuries occur as a result of exercise, 9.8 million of which result in new ‘substantive’ injuries which are potentially serious, result in treatment, or in participants being unable to take part in their usual activities.
Now, don’t get the wrong idea. The benefits of exercise far outweigh the risks. However, the risks are there and deserve appropriate consideration, mostly because we remain unaware of them until it’s too late and we develop an injury. The pain of that injury exists to tell us that something isn’t quite working as it should be. However, the underlying mechanical fault that caused the injury may have preceded the emergence of pain by years, even decades. This is true of any pain, irrespective of whether it arises during exercise, and can be thought of in the same way that underlying arterial disease which develops over years usually precedes a heart attack or stroke.
So, what should we do when pain arises? The most recent evidence suggests we should assess and eradicate the risk factors causing the pain or ideally assess the risk factors prior to development of pain or injury, so that preventative measures can be put into action.
That’s why at the Chiropractic Network, Warwick we provide the public service of a complimentary private consultation to allow correct assessment of these risk factors in the development of pain.
This consists of:
- A full past medical history.
- A thorough examination including Orthopaedic, Neurological, Postural, Gait and Bite assessment.
- Referral for X-rays or an MRI scan if required.
You’ll then receive:
- A Diagnosis and Prognosis of your complaint.
- Specific advice, or rehabilitative exercise prescription should we feel no further management is required.
- An explanation of our treatment protocols, should we deem treatment necessary.
- Referral to an appropriate specialist should we deem them more appropriate for the management of your case.
Very often this service can prove of huge benefit to the quality of peoples lives, allowing them pain relief, prevention of further injury, and improved quality of life. For further information, or to book a consultation appointment please don’t hesitate to contact the clinic via the number provided: 01926 498 700. I look forward to helping you soon.
Dr. Oliver Hobkirk-Smith MChiro (AECC) DC (Doctor of Chiropractic) CH Dip. C. Hyp
