Deciding when to seek professional help for musculoskeletal pain or injury can be tricky. There are no definitive rules, but this blog post will cover important factors to consider and tips to help you make the right choice for your situation.
Several individual factors influence this decision, including:
- How much is the pain affecting your quality of life?
- Are you experiencing minor pain for a short time in the morning but fine for the rest of the day? Or are you in pain whenever bearing weight, struggling to fulfil job responsibilities, and unable to exercise?
- Is this your first musculoskeletal injury, or have you had a similar issue before?
- Can you take time out of your day to consult a health professional?
- Is there a conveniently located and available healthcare professional you can see?
- Can you afford to consult a private health professional, or do you need to wait to consult a health professional via the public health system?
When I first develop pain somewhere, I treat it as a minor issue rather than a full-blown injury. Sometimes, the pain arises from doing an unusual activity that temporarily irritates the tissues. For instance, walking a long way in unsuitable shoes after a night out could overwork certain parts of the feet, causing irritation and pain. In that case, I would simply avoid the aggravating activity, wear proper shoes, and allow my body a few days to heal itself through its amazing resilience and recovery capacity.
However, I don’t wish the pain away indefinitely. Waiting too long before seeking help can significantly impact your quality of life. Well-established injuries also generally require more time, treatment options, and costs to overcome.
As a guideline, if the pain considerably impairs your daily functioning at any point, you should consult a health professional as soon as you can. Alternatively, if manageable pain persists for two or more weeks with a consistent pattern, it’s advisable to get it evaluated before it potentially becomes more difficult to treat.
In summary, give your body a reasonable chance to heal minor aches and pains on its own through prudent self-care. But don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if the pain severely impacts your life or shows no signs of improving within a couple of weeks. Staying proactive can prevent a small issue from turning into a larger problem.
If you’re all too familiar with that nagging plantar heel pain first thing in the morning, you’re not alone. The good news is there are effective strategies to manage this condition and get long-lasting relief.
Download our free ebook “3 Steps to Conquer Plantar Heel Pain” to learn simple yet powerful techniques for reducing morning heel pain and getting your day off on the right foot.