Should You Play Through Pain? When to Seek Medical Attention

9 September 2025

We’ve all been there. That twinge in your knee during a run. That dull ache in your shoulder mid-game. It always starts small, like a whisper. But then the big question hits you:
Should I keep going, or is it time to hit the brakes?
This is the balancing act every athlete—pro or weekend warrior—faces. Sometimes pushing through is fine, other times it could make things worse. A lot worse. So, let’s break it down and really figure out when playing through pain is just toughing it out, and when it’s your body begging for help.

Pain vs. Discomfort: Know the Difference

Let’s get something straight right off the bat—pain is not the same as discomfort.

Imagine you’re doing squats and your quads are screaming. That burning sensation? Totally normal. That’s discomfort, and it’s part of getting stronger.

But now... imagine a sharp stab in your knee or a sudden “pop” feeling. That’s pain. And pain is your body ringing the alarm bell.

Here’s an easy way to tell the difference:

| Discomfort | Pain |
|----------------|----------|
| Feels like: burning, fatigue, muscle tightness | Feels like: stabbing, sharp, throbbing, popping |
| Fades after rest | Lingers even when not active |
| Usually muscle-related | Can be joint, tendon, bone-related |
| Managed with stretching, hydration | Might need medical evaluation |

So before you decide whether to keep going, ask yourself: Is this a grind or a red flag?

Why We Ignore the Pain

Let’s be honest—we’re stubborn creatures. Especially athletes.

We’re taught to “tough it out.” To play through the pain. To not let the team down. "No pain, no gain," right?

But here’s the thing—pain is not weakness. It’s communication. It’s your body saying, “Something’s not right down here!”

Ignoring it can be like trying to drive with your check engine light on and hoping for the best. Spoiler alert: it never ends well.

Some common reasons we ignore the pain:

- Fear of missing a game or practice
- Worry about losing progress
- Peer pressure or team expectations
- Belief that pain equals mental toughness
- A bit of denial (because nobody wants to think they’re injured)

It’s time to shift that mindset. Playing smart is tougher than playing hurt.

Situations Where Playing Through Pain Might Be Okay

Okay, not all pain is catastrophic. Some discomfort is part of the deal. But if you’re really convinced you can keep going, here are a few scenarios where it might be relatively safe.

1. General Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

If you’ve ever walked funny the day after leg day, you know the feeling. Delayed Muscle Onset Soreness (DOMS) is normal. It usually kicks in 24–48 hours after training, especially if you’re trying a new movement or increasing intensity.

Signs it’s DOMS:

- Dull, aching muscles
- Still able to move, just stiff
- Gets better with light activity

In this case, light movement can actually help. Think stretching, foam rolling, walking, and easy cardio.

2. Minor Tweaks That Improve With Warm-Up

Sometimes, you wake up stiff or have a tight joint that feels off… but then it loosens once you’re warmed up. That’s often just a minor issue like tight fascia or temporary inflammation.

If movement makes it better, not worse—you’re probably okay to proceed with caution.

3. You’re On the Tail End of Recovery (and Medically Cleared)

If you’ve already seen a doctor, done rehab, and been cleared, returning to play might involve some residual discomfort. That awkward phase of rebuilding confidence in your movement.

Still, progress should feel better over time, not worse.

When You Should Definitely Stop and Seek Medical Help

Time for some real talk. There are absolutely times when pushing through could lead you straight to the bench—or worse, the operating table.

Here’s when you need to wave the white flag (and call your doc ASAP).

1. Sharp, Sudden, or Shooting Pain

Picture this—you’re sprinting, and suddenly your calf feels like someone slapped it with a whip. That’s not soreness. That’s a possible tear or strain.

Or maybe you twist your ankle and feel a pop. Again, not normal.

Sharp, stabbing, or sudden pain = Stop immediately.

2. Swelling or Bruising That Progresses Over Time

Swelling is your body’s way of saying, “we’re trying to fix this.” But if it’s getting worse, not better—or it’s accompanied by warmth and bruising—you’re dealing with more than just inflammation. It could be a sprain, strain, or even a fracture.

Monitoring it with ice and compression is one thing. But if the swelling keeps ballooning? Time to get it checked.

3. Pain That Alters Your Movement or Form

You know your natural stride, your swing, your jump technique. But if pain is causing you to compensate? That’s a big deal.

Why? Because compensating can lead to new injuries. If your knee hurts and you start limping, your hip or back might pay the price.

4. Numbness, Tingling or Loss of Strength

These are not just warning signs—they’re red alarms. Numbness or tingling could be nerve-related. Loss of strength might be a torn muscle or tendon.

If your arm suddenly goes weak during lifting, or there’s a weird numb patch in your leg—don’t mess around. Seek help immediately.

5. Pain That Doesn't Go Away With Rest

If you're still hurting after taking a few days off, that's not normal. And no, popping ibuprofen and hoping it heals isn’t a plan—it’s a delay tactic.

Lingering pain = time to consult a medical professional.

The Risks of Playing Through Serious Pain

Still thinking about pushing through “just one more game”?

Here’s what you’re risking:

Long-Term Injury

That minor knee sprain you ignore today could become a full ACL tear tomorrow. That shoulder pinch? It might be a torn rotator cuff if you keep overhead pressing through it.

Chronic Pain

Sometimes pain doesn’t go away… ever. Many lifelong back, neck, and joint issues started with someone saying, “It’ll be fine.”

Surgery

Worst-case? You might end up on the operating table. And guess what? Surgery = months (or years) of recovery. All because you didn’t stop sooner.

Burnout (Mental & Physical)

Playing in pain isn’t just hard on the body. It messes with your head too. You stop enjoying the sport. You dread practices. You tank your performance. Suddenly, the thing you loved now stresses you out.

What to Do When You Feel Pain Mid-Workout or Mid-Game

So let’s say you feel something off. What now?

Step 1: Stop & Assess

Don’t brush it off. Sit down. Breathe. Ask yourself what you felt. Where is it? What kind of pain? Could you replicate it?

Step 2: Apply R.I.C.E.

Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevation. This helps manage inflammation and swelling immediately afterward.

Step 3: Track the Symptoms

Take note of how severe the pain is and whether it worsens with movement. If it stays or worsens after 24-48 hours, contact a healthcare provider.

Step 4: Don’t Hop Back In Blindly

If rest helps, ease back in. But if it flares up again, you need a proper evaluation. Guesswork is not recovery.

When to See a Specialist

General pain that doesn’t resolve in a few days is worth checking out. But certain specialists are especially helpful:

- Sports medicine doctors → Know how to handle athletic-specific injuries
- Orthopedists → Ideal for joints, bones, and tendons
- Physical therapists → Can assess movement and guide rehab
- Chiropractors → Useful for alignment, mobility, and certain back/neck issues

Catch it early, and you’ll save yourself a long, painful road later.

Final Thoughts: Listen to the Whispers Before They Shout

Look, no one likes sitting out. No athlete wants to watch from the sidelines. But the truth is, one missed game is better than one missed season. Or worse—missing out on the sport altogether.

Your body is the gear you carry through life. Take care of it.

Be brave enough to rest when needed. Be smart enough to seek help. Be tough enough to say, “Not today,” when pain shows up this time.

Learn the language of your body—and you’ll play longer, stronger, and happier.