Sports Injuries and denial.

In this episode I discuss the denial before acceptance phases often repeated by sports and fitness enthusiasts, when faced with injuries sustained in their chosen sports or pastimes.
Let's take a runner for example, who experiences knee, hip or lower back pain, which diminishes his normal expected times in weekend runs. The runner in question usually defaults to a veritable list of stages both mentally, physically and emotionally as he battles with musculoskeletal complaints.
The runner initially ignores the injury / pain and continues with his Saturday morning park run or evening 10k cardio workout, which in turn leads to acute or severe discomfort.
Weeks or months go by with a notable reduction in the regularity of training and increased rest periods mounting up.
The runner resorts to anti inflammatory medications, quick fix equipment purchased online and hours spent on social media platforms researching possible routes to recovery.
When these solutions fail to fix the root cause of the problem, only then does he consider contacting a local therapist to assess and apply the necessary soft or connective tissue remedial treatments.
Should the therapist suggest a period of abstinence from running, focusing on a return to daily, pain free function, followed by strengthening the body in preparation for a eventual light runs, the runner / client / patient hesitates to adhere to his therapists post care advice and chooses to essentially 'wing it' by way of either totally ignoring the protocols provided and continuing running, or even enlisting the professional care of another therapist, in search of a subtle form of conformation bias, from a second or third party.
The runner's cycle of emotions thus ensues, from delayed acceptance, to anxiety, fear, depression and a final chapter of chronic hopelessness, which may be reversible with the correct diagnosis and subsequent treatments, but in some cases is less likely to prove a success due to the runner simply wanting a quick fix and implementing his own method of coping and recovering. (THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON).
My advice as a qualified personal trainer and sports massage therapist, is to carefully choose a therapist with experience and work together with a common goal of getting back out on the road or track, only this time with a better understanding of injury prevention, allowing for an enjoyable, healthy future.
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