177. Almost one-fifth of adults push through pain during exercise
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
For almost one-fifth of people who exercise, “no pain, no gain” is a constant mantra. According to a new survey of over 2,000 adults performed by the Jewett Orthopedic Institute in Orlando, Florida, almost 20 percent of adults experience pain while exercising. That same percentage – 18 percent – of adults push through pain on a regular basis instead of resting or getting their pain checked out by a physician. While some soreness can be expected after exercising, especially when it is the first time you have worked out in a while, sometimes pain and injuries can get worse if you continue to train through them. Many people avoid going to the doctor out of fear they will be told they need surgery or that they must stop exercising. Fortunately, if an injury is diagnosed and treated early, most people can avoid surgery and return to training faster than if they let it linger.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
