Address Pain Early

Many times when I meet a new client, they tell me they assumed their pain would simply go away on its own.

At this point, that no longer surprises me, but it does make me a little sad. In many cases, I am confident they could have found relief much earlier if the issue had been addressed sooner.

I will admit I am biased, but I have a few athletes who come in at the first sign of trouble, and the difference it makes is significant.

One is a high level baseball player who has dealt with low back pain in the past. He is very clear that he does not want that pain to return. If he feels even a small tweak or ache, he comes in for a quick session, we address it, and he is back to training without missing a beat.

I also work with a high level soccer player who checks in when she feels anything from low back discomfort to quad tightness to early shin pain. She has stayed healthy throughout our time working together, and I believe that is largely because she prioritizes her recovery and overall health.

When pain is ignored and allowed to linger, the body almost always finds a way to work around it. That often leads to compensation, altered movement patterns, and additional stress placed on areas that were not meant to handle it. What may have started as a small and manageable issue can slowly turn into decreased performance, prolonged recovery timelines, or a more significant injury that forces time away from training or competition.

Especially for athletes, lingering pain can quietly chip away at strength, speed, and confidence. Many athletes do not realize how much they are adjusting their movement until performance drops or the pain becomes impossible to ignore. Addressing issues early helps keep small problems small and allows athletes to continue progressing rather than constantly playing catch up.

Especially if you are an athlete just getting started with your spring season, addressing small issues early is one of the best decisions you can make.

I cannot speak for everyone, but most of the athletes I work with prioritize being at their best at the end of the season, not just at the beginning.

-Dr. Caleb