Working around/through an injury - is it this simple?

sharkattack · 06-02-2007, 10:31 PM

Around Easter of this year, I really strained my right forearm something fierce. After several weeks and some physical therapy, I can see some slight improvement. Some movements that caused me pain before no longer do so. About the only movement that really causes me any pain is DB Hammer Curls.

I'm planning getting back to the swing of things, although I'll be taking it a bit easy at first. My questions for you wise folks are:

1. Is it really as simple as listening to my body and letting it tell me "Hey this movement hurts. Don't do it."

2. If I continue to train certain movements, that do not cause any pain in my forearm, should I be concerned that I may be making the recovery (of the forearm) more difficult, because the arm in general is being used in other movements?

3. Is it common for bad muscle strains to take 12-16 weeks to completely heal?

4. How much does the fact that the forearm can't get 100% absolute rest during recovery affect the healing? Obviously, I need to use my right arm for everyday tasks, as well as tasks at work. I don't go out of my way to do anything that will strain it, but sometimes it unavoidable to lift something, push something, etc. for a moment that it twinge for a second. (It's hard to explain, but you know what I mean.)

Thanks to all who can offer any advice,
S.

RobLL · 06-03-2007, 01:06 PM

I have injured forearms. It is not as simple as 'if it hurts don't do it'. If I don't do it for 3 months it quits hurting - until I do a chin/pull up again. There is an injury which needs treatment. I haven't found a local trainer who fits the bill on this. Meantime I got The Stick and am using it on forearm a few times a day. I can do a couple chinups without notable pain, so maybe its working. Goal: ten chinups, and maybe at least 5 pull ups. My suspicion is that if I get up to those I can just keep going.