There is a right and a wrong way to build muscles! You will have to go through pain-and that's okay
. But there are some warning aches and pains you should NEVER ignore. They are a clear sign that something is not right with your body! Ignoring these signs can lead to greater injuries that can trouble you for life!
#1- A Sudden Pain in the Neck or Head- this usually happens when you are squatting with heavy weights. A sudden and painful feeling in the head may be anything between an overloaded blood vessel and a muscle seizure.
Stop immediately and take a second look at your posture. Make sure you keep those neck muscles and shoulders loose when you are lifting- or you could strain them seriously!
#2- A Sudden Sharp Pain the Back
ANY back pain is serious and requires medical diagnosis. However, you should get immediate help if you experience a sharp and targeted pain in a certain area of the back. Remember, it is important to stop IMMEDIATELY when you experience this sort of pain. More often than not, it is a sign that something is seriously wrong. You may have pinched a nerve or suffered from a slipped disc.
Seek immediate medical help so that the damage can be assessed. Don't lift weights or do anything to strain the area further. Any additional load on the spine may create permanent damage!
#3- Ankle Pain On Impact
Most runners learn to ignore pains and aches! However, if your ankle hurts whenever there is impact (for some it may be an absolutely blinding pain-while others experience just a dull ache), it's time to sit up and listen to your body! A strained ligament or a sprained ankle is often the culprit. Both require rest in order to recover. Leave it unattended and you could be facing weeks in bed!
Keep these points in mind and build muscles sensibly!