Summer is winding down, but that nagging summer injury may not be

August in Beaverton means squeezing in the last hikes, golf rounds, pickleball games, yard projects, and weekend adventures before school starts and schedules get busy again. Unfortunately, it’s also the time when many people realize that the sore shoulder, aching knee, painful heel, or tight lower back they noticed earlier this summer still hasn’t improved.

Pain, that keeps coming back, is your body trying to tell you something.

Minor soreness after an active weekend is normal and usually resolves within a few days. Pain that repeatedly returns with the same activity, changes the way you walk or move, or gradually gets worse deserves more attention. Continuing to compensate for an injury can sometimes create problems elsewhere.

Rest can help, but rest alone doesn’t always address the reason an injury keeps returning.

Tendon irritation, restricted movement, repetitive strain, weakness, or an old injury can linger even after symptoms temporarily settle down. Understanding what is causing the problem is often the first step toward getting back to the activities you enjoy.

With school starting, it’s easy to put yourself at the bottom of the list.

Between school drop-offs, sports practices, work, and changing routines, that summer ache becomes something to deal with “later.” Weeks can quickly turn into months.

Be careful of the five most dangerous words: “Maybe it will go away.”

If something has been bothering you throughout the summer, consider having it evaluated rather than carrying it into fall and winter.

For more information about injuries, recovery, and proven treatment options, contact TPC Regenerative Health. Visit www.tpcregen.com , call 503-574-4872, or email info@tpcreg.com.