Parents Pain meds or rest?

[Tjr28]

Hi, my level 7 daughter started getting various sore muscles about a month ago. Both hamstrings have been hurting on and off. I took her to the orthopedic dr the other day and he said her movement and strength was ok so she could just work through the pain. He said take ibuprofen and also start working with a physical therapist.
Do your girls often work through pain and take pain meds or would you have them take time off to rest? Competition starts in 2 wks of course. I just do not want to get her hurt worse.
Thanks!

 

[gym_dad32608]

Typical disclaimer about seeking medical advice from medical professionals to ensure safety. Which sounds like you have.

With that said, my DD who has been a L10 for a couple of years now, takes ibuprofen often. It is not unusual for most girls in upper levels to be coping with aches and pains. I know whenever I have a headache my first request is to a gymnast for advil or tylenol lol. Our general rule is there should be no sharp pains, if you are trying to just deal with sharp pain, then you are risking damage. Simple muscle soreness and tightness are a normal part of the territory. Part of the reason why she regularly sees massage therapist and PT.

 

[Pineapple_Lump]

Along with massage and PT, it may be worthwhile speaking with a dietician/sports nutritionist to ensure that what she is eating is adequate/appropriate fuel for her body/sport and address any gut health issues which are linked to general pain/inflammation.

 

[Geoffrey Taucer]

I feel like I should lock this thread with our standard response about how medical advice should only come from a doctor who has conducted a formal examination of the athlete.... but it sounds like you're already doing that, so I'll leave this for now. BUT LET ME REMIND EVERYBODY NOT TO OFFER DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT SUGGESTIONS; I'm leaving this open not in order to discuss treatment, but to discuss our thoughts on athletes working through the pain when they have been given the go-ahead to do so from a doctor.

ANYWAY

Here is what I always tell my athletes:
1) If it hurts enough that you're changing how you do the skill -- either modifying technique or holding back on power and speed -- then stop
2) If it gets worse from one turn to the next, stop
3) If it's your head or neck that hurts, even if neither of the above is true, stop.
4) If the doc says stop, stop.
5) If none of the above is the case, you may continue training, but do so with caution. You lose very little by being too cautious, but can potentially lose a great deal by being too bold.