PAIN vs. DISCOMFORT
Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 1:36PM From my experience, I've had both pain and discomfort throughout my exercise history.
What's the difference, you ask?
Allow me to explain.
I've had sharp or shooting PAIN when something is definitely wrong: pulled, strained, sprained, etc.
I've had DISCOMFORT when something is weak and needing to be strengthened. When I hurt my lower back in 2004, the next year was full of DISCOMFORT when re-strengthening my core, but by pushing through, it has led to the ability to perform exercises I wasn't sure I'd be able to perform again.
Understandably, people are ultra concerned when they feel even the slightest twinge of something being out of the ordinary in their lower backs (and / or other areas).
Though, more often than not, as long as you are keeping good form, it is simply connective tissues, muscles, bones, etc. being made stronger. As long as you are starting slow and not trying to swing a 75 lb kettlebell on the very first day of your kettlebell training (for example) and gradually allowing your musculature to strengthen, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT. You MUST be able to handle it or you won't ever progress.
Our knee-jerk reaction is to avoid things that are uncomfortable, but we must fight this as usually that is the exact "thing" on which we need to be focusing.
And now, if I experience low back pain / discomfort, it usually means I HAVEN'T BEEN EXERCISING ENOUGH, not the opposite.
Yes, if you have shooting pain, or if you have definitely pulled or strained something, LAY OFF and / or get a physician's advice. Earlier this year, I strained my left shoulder and had to lay off for about 8-10 days, which is frustrating, but at the end of those 10 days, I was back to 100%.
In January 2009, I severely (at least by my reckoning) strained my left calf (medial gastrocnemius to be exact), and after a brief walk-in clinic visit, the advice was just to lay off. 14 days and a bit of therapeutic massage later and I was able to start putting weight on my left foot again and another two weeks after that to really be able to exercise again.
Put your pain and discomfort in perspective, and push through as best you can.
Have a strong day, knee-jerk reaction fighters.