Over the last decade, working on hundreds of weekend warriors, I’ve heard a recurring statement: “That’s an old injury from high school.”
The interesting thing is that the old injuries from high school, when left untreated, turn into big dysfunctions in adults. Humans are built for survival—not for maximum dexterity and grace—post-injury. Basically, a cave-man needed to have his arm not fall off following a predatory attack much more than he needed to preserve his perfect tennis serve—and this is how we are still built. Studies have shown that many years after an injury heals, scar tissue continues to be laid down.
The purpose of scar tissue is to form a durable bond over a tear or trauma, and its fibers are laid down in a hap-hazard formation, like darning in a sock. Scar tissue is a given, but the degree to which it it heals in a functional manner can be greatly influenced. Proper rehabilitation during healing can help the scar tissue fibers to be laid in a more parallel formation, creating a functional repair with strength and range of motion, rather than a dysfunctional scar which is stiff and debilitating. Three factors affect healing and function: proper loading (rehab exercises), stretching, and Therapeutic Massage.
The importance of treating injuries when they occur, the incredible rigor of high school athletic programs, and the responsiveness of young muscle tissue (yes, it takes a hint much quicker than older muscles do), caused me to create my high school athletic discount program. We are seeing a huge increase in the numbers of young athletes we treat. Therapeutic Massage is incredibly effective at treating their injuries and keeping them in the game.
And long term, they won’t be the adults on the table with joints which have been aching since high school.
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