June is Men’s Health Month. Have you experienced increasing discomfort when working out or playing sports? Men often push through the pain, and in rare cases, “no pain no gain” is valid. Other times, however, forcing physical activity when the body is telling you to stop may cause more damage, more pain, and result in the need for more invasive treatment and a longer recovery period.
Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, shoulder, back, or knee pain, even ankle and wrist aches don’t actually benefit from prescription medications. While NSAIDs and other pain relievers temporarily mask pain, osteopathy addresses the underlying cause of pain. By repairing injured tissues, pain will subside as strength increases. With osteopathy, the goal is healing for pain relief and improved function, so you can perform at the top of your game once again.
When should a man seek osteopathy? Before major injury or acute pain occurs! Listen to your body. Pain is often the body’s way of asking for help.
Types of Injuries Osteopathy Treats
Jenna Howe, a manual osteopathic practitioner in Victoria, BC, has the skill and experience to help men find lasting relief from common physical pains caused by overactivity, wear and tear, or injury. Whether the onset of your pain was instant or has gradually worsened over time, osteopathy will treat the muscles, ligaments, and fascia, while considering the body as a whole unit that should function in balance and harmony. Common men’s injuries treatable with osteopathic therapy include but are not limited to:
- Repeated strain that caused injury
- Joint injuries (spine, knee, elbow, wrist, shoulder, ankle)
- Back and hip injuries (prevalent in office workers or manual laborers)
- Groin injury
- Hip injury
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Muscles and ligaments
How long does it take for osteopathy to work?
The duration of an osteopathic treatment plan depends upon many factors, including the extent of the damage. An overall healthy body will heal more quickly than a body that has had previous injury, is overweight, or has certain health conditions. Furthermore, young patients heal more quickly than older patients. These truths extend to all types of injuries and medical treatments, for both men and women.
Another consideration is whether the patient allows time for appropriate healing before engaging the damaged body part in rigorous or repetitive activity. Re-injury or noncompliance with your treatment plan could result in an extended recovery period. To minimize down time, patients should:
- Attend therapy visits as scheduled, and for as long as necessary
- Follow Jenna’s exercise plan for continued therapy at home, between visits
- Follow Jenna’s advice for rehabilitation time, including resting as needed
- Never press through pain, but respond appropriately to the body’s warnings
- Stay hydrated and eat healthy
- Progress into increased activity over time, rather than diving in full force
If you adhere to Jenna’s treatment plan and attend osteopathy therapy as scheduled, your physical therapy will yield optimal results. You’ll feel better and be back to normal activities in the least possible timeframe.
Joint Pain Relief in Victoria BC
Jenna Howe helps men and women who’ve endured physical injury to heal naturally, rather than masking pain with medications. When your body aches, stop and listen. If you’d like to learn how osteopathy can repair your body and relieve pain, please call or email us not to schedule your appointment.
