That Nagging Ache? Why September Is a Good Time to Pay Attention
September has a way of filling up quickly
Summer slows down, and then suddenly the calendar is packed with work, school, activities, appointments, workouts, weekend plans, and everything else that comes with getting back into a routine.
And that's often when those little aches and pains start getting harder to ignore.
Maybe your lower back bothers you after sitting at your desk. Your shoulder aches after working out. Your knee hurts when you go up and down stairs. Or you've had the same stiffness for months and have simply learned to live with it.
But just because pain is common doesn't mean you have to accept it as your new normal.
Pain doesn't always mean something is seriously wrong
One of the most common misconceptions about physical therapy is that you need to have a major injury before seeing a PT.
You don't.
Physical therapists work with people experiencing everything from significant injuries to relatively minor aches, stiffness, weakness, and movement limitations.
Sometimes the issue isn't one specific injury. It may be a combination of:
Decreased strength
Limited mobility
Poor endurance
Repetitive movements
Changes in activity level
Compensation for an old injury
Too much sitting and not enough movement
Identifying what's contributing to your symptoms can be the first step toward changing them.
Don't wait until pain stops you
There's a big difference between working around a problem and actually addressing it.
You may have figured out how to avoid the movement that hurts. You may have stopped running, modified your workouts, or simply decided not to lift as much.
Those strategies can sometimes be useful temporarily—but if you're continually giving up activities you enjoy because of pain, it's worth finding out why.
September is a great time for a reset
Think of this time of year as an opportunity to check in with your body.
Ask yourself:
What have I been avoiding because it hurts?
What activity do I wish I could do more comfortably?
What has been bothering me for more than a few weeks?
What feels weaker, stiffer, or less stable than it used to?
Those answers can tell you a lot.
Physical therapy can help you understand what's going on, develop a targeted plan, and give you the tools to get back to the activities that matter to you.
You don't have to wait for January to start fresh
We often think of January as the time for health-related resolutions.
But why wait?
Fall is a great time to take care of yourself.
Whether your goal is to hike more, get back to the gym, keep up with your kids, play your favorite sport, travel comfortably, or simply move through your day with less pain, addressing a problem early can make a difference.
Your body is the thing that gets you through everything on your calendar.
This September, give it a little attention, too.
