By Roxan Mina-Maccan
Athletes are taught to push through discomfort.
Sometimes that mindset helps performance.
Other times, it’s the exact reason injuries become long-term problems.
One of the biggest mistakes we see in clinic is athletes continuing to train around pain without understanding what the pain actually means.
There’s a difference between:
- muscle fatigue
- expected soreness
- and tissue overload
Most athletes don’t know where that line is.
Instead, they modify slightly, tape the area, reduce intensity for a few days, then jump straight back into full training. Symptoms settle temporarily, but the underlying issue remains.
Over time, compensation patterns build.
A sore ankle becomes a knee issue.
A stiff hip becomes lower back pain.
A minor hamstring strain becomes repeated tightness every few weeks.
This is how manageable injuries become recurring problems.
Pain is information.
It tells us:
- the body is struggling with load
- movement quality has changed
- or recovery is no longer matching demand
Ignoring these signals rarely works long-term.
In-season physiotherapy is not about stopping sport.
It’s about managing load so the athlete can continue performing safely.
That may involve:
- modifying training volume
- improving strength around the affected area
- restoring mobility
- or changing recovery strategies
The earlier this happens, the easier the issue is to control.
Most injuries do not suddenly appear overnight.
They build gradually while athletes try to “push through.”
The goal should not be to avoid discomfort completely.
The goal is understanding what your body can safely tolerate.
That’s what keeps athletes available across an entire season — not just for one game.
Call to book a sports physio session and keep yourself in the game this season.