Here are five common statements about pain and physical activity, with explanations to help you better understand your body and adopt appropriate practices to take care of it.
1. Using your phone causes neck pain
It is often suggested that using your phone is the main cause of neck pain, but this is not the case. [1] In reality, it is not the phone itself that is problematic, but rather staying in the same position for a long time. The key to avoiding pain is to vary your positions regularly and take frequent breaks. It is important to remember that there is no such thing as “good posture”; changing and adjusting your posture regularly is much more effective in preventing pain.
2. You need to be flexible to be athletic
A common misconception is that flexibility is essential for being a successful athlete. However, this is not always the case. Some sports, such as running or soccer, do not require extreme flexibility, but rather sufficient mobility for the specific movements involved in the sport. The important thing is to have adequate mobility to meet the demands of your physical activity.
3. Stretching reduces pain by lengthening muscles
Stretching is often seen as a way to reduce pain by lengthening muscles. In reality, its impact is mainly neuro-sensitive: it helps improve the nerves' tolerance to stretching and thus increases mobility. [2] They can also have an analgesic effect by releasing endorphins and reducing muscle tension, but they do not necessarily change the length of muscle fibers.
4. You should stop physical activity if you feel pain
Contrary to popular belief, pain does not always mean you have to stop physical activity completely. With the advice of a healthcare professional, it is often possible to continue exercising by adapting the intensity and type of activity to your abilities. In many cases, moderate and well-adapted exercise can even promote rehabilitation. It is essential not to panic and to consult a specialist to determine the best approach to take.
5. The more intense the pain, the more serious the problem
It is common to think that more intense pain indicates a more serious problem, but this is not always the case. The intensity of pain is not always proportional to the severity of the situation. For example, sharp pain following a blow can be very intense without necessarily indicating a serious injury. A medical evaluation is essential to determine the severity of the problem and the appropriate treatment.
SOURCES :
[1] Correia IMT, Ferreira A de S, Fernandez J, Reis FJJ, Nogueira LAC, Meziat-Filho N. Association Between Text Neck and Neck Pain in Adults. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1 mai 2021;46(9):571‑8.
[2] Riley DA, Van Dyke JM. The effects of active and passive stretching on muscle length. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. févr 2012;23(1):51‑7, x.