I always ask my physio clients (or patients, if you prefer to call them that) about how they think their coach will respond to their injury, and whether they think it will be possible to modify their program to tailor it for rehab.
I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of people from across the country, as well as athletes from Europe and the US. Everyone seems to have a different response, and this continues to intrigue me.
If it starts with any of:
“Uh…yeah… yeah, im sure it will be fine”.
“I’ll check but I’m sure it will be okay”.
“I mean, ideally I don’t want to take too much time off or not be erging or on the water because of (insert any reason).
“My coach won’t really like it”.
“I’m worried about taking too much time because of fear of losing my seat/getting dropped/ not being able to do a test or hitting a score and not going to trials etc.
Then there’s a problem.
What is obvious about all of these answers is that injury brings uncertainty into our lives. People are often scared of the possibility of retribution if they take the time that their body needs to recover and heal. It’s understandable that your coach doesn’t want to be without you for a long time, and that you have fears of “falling behind” if you miss training.
My question to you is this: Do you want to sacrifice long-term health and quality of life for short-term goals? Are you willing to put up with the pain and kick the can down the road? Would you rather spend longer waiting for something to heal at a later date than address it whilst it’s still in its early stages?
Some coaches are fabulous, prioritising their athletes’ wellbeing and encouraging them to seek help from a doctor or physiotherapist where they might need it. Others will tell you to push through the pain, saying things like “no pain, no gain” or gaslighting you. These might not be the coaches for you.
It’s also important to mention that pain is complex and multifactorial; it feels different for everyone. The body feels pain in two different ways: when it’s trying to protect you, and when something might be a bit uncomfortable (the kind that you get from DOMS, which usually eases up shortly after).
Your training environment is something that should be positive, empowering you to become the best person that you can become. It shouldn’t be somewhere that runs you into the ground until you break. This is a disillusioned vision of success.
I encourage you to look at your club or training environment. As an athlete, you have to question whether the culture is good and supportive. What is the attitude around injuries and recoveries? Would there be any consequences if you had to take time off to complete the necessary rehab? Do coaches or support staff treat you differently when you can’t do something?
Your health should always be your priority.
As a physiotherapist, I find it sad when people say they worry about the external pressures of training, injury, and recovery.
For anyone who disagrees or wants to talk about this further, feel free to reach out. I’m aware this might push a few people’s buttons, but maybe that’s for the best?
