Pain Counseling

[mdillon]

I coach high school football players and I play a major role in our strength training. We essentially do the Starting Strength program but have to work within the constraints of a school schedule. I often have kids come to me and tell me something on their body hurts. I usually ask them what they were doing when it started to hurt and how long it has hurt. If it occurred during a lift I will ask them to demonstrate their technique with a lighter weight. More often than not, I have no idea why they are hurting and I do not try to pretend that I know. I usually tell them to drop their weight to the point that the pain is manageable, take ibuprofen, and if it still hurts after a few days to a week let me know. Dr. Baraki's article taught me that I have no way of reliably diagnosing the cause of the pain (and perhaps many medical specialists don't either). I can't tell if the kid is just being a kid and learning how to deal with uncomfortable things or if it's a legitimate concern.

When you train clients and they tell you something is hurting, how do you respond? How would you respond to a 15-18 year old?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I have a lot more experience with this than you do, I usually have some helpful advice, and I have the luxury of not dealing with dozens of people at one time. But I also have the advantage of not losing my job if I make a mistake. You do not. Were I in your position, I'd refer everything I wasn't absolutely sure about to your Athletic Trainers. They have the licenses, and the insurance. They will not be very helpful, but they are better able to deal with the liability. Sorry, but this is the pragmatic approach.