We want our patients to remain active and seek out regular exercise because we know just how important movement is to our whole body health. However, you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to activity. Pushing yourself too hard or too frequently can contribute to an overstress injury that can force you to be less active while your body heals.
Overstress injuries tend to occur slowly over time, and while they can eventually develop following an acute moment of stress, oftentimes the warning signs that an overstress injury is lurking are there if you know what to look for. In today’s blog, we spotlight some signs and symptoms that suggest an overstress injury may be right around the corner if you don’t change your activity habits.
Warning Signs Of An Overstress Injury
Let’s look at some of the telltale signs of an overstress injury and share some tips for working to prevent an overstress injury in your feet or legs.
1. Prolonged Soreness – Some soreness after athletic activity or exercise should be expected, but if this soreness lingers for days, it means your body is struggling to repair the physical trauma of your last workout. If soreness persists, or it doesn’t fade with gentle stretching, back off exercise or intense activity for a little while longer.
2. Early Discomfort – If pain or discomfort develops early in your workout, it could be a sign that your body is still feeling the effects of a previous workout. Oftentimes you’re a bit tired and sore near the end of a good exercise program, but if this discomfort sets in pretty early in your routine, it could suggest your body is still trying to repair damaged tissues from previous workouts. Don’t be afraid to shut it down early if soreness or discomfort develops early in your exercise program.
3. Swelling – If your feet or ankles are a little swollen, it suggests that your body is still hard at work addressing the physical trauma of previous activities. Swelling can indicate that you’re dealing with an injury, or that microtrauma has developed below the surface.
4. Lost Flexibility – If you have lost some flexibility or motion in the affected area, it could be due to inflammation caused by the tissue repair process or trauma to specific structures in the area. If this lost flexibility can’t be regained with a short stretching routine, it could be a sign that your body is still working to recover after earlier intense exercise.
5. Tenderness – Finally, if you’re dealing with tenderness or painful areas on your feet or ankle, an injury may have already developed or one could be lurking beneath the surface. This tenderness may be caused by overworked or injured soft issues, and you’ll want to proactively treat this tenderness before diving back into strenuous activities.
Don’t let an overuse injury sideline you for weeks or longer. Learn to listen to your body, and pursue activities that target different areas of your body so that you’re not always working the same muscle groups. For more information, reach out to Dr. Silverman by filling out this contact form.