Now Is the Time to Start Fixing Injuries: A Conversation with Dr. Val

Maybe you have said it or you have heard it - “I’ll just wait until January…”

It is November 8th that leaves 53 days until the new year, do not put off getting your injury sorted.

Dr. Val had a patient interaction that highlighted how we can be our own worst enemy.

Jack shifted on the exam table, rolling his shoulder and wincing.

Dr. Val raised an eyebrow. “Still hurting?”

“Yeah, it’s been like this for weeks,” Jack said, sighing. “But I just don’t have time to deal with it. I keep hoping it’ll go away on its own.”

Dr. Val gave him a sympathetic look. “I get it, but waiting usually makes things worse, not better. Time alone doesn’t always heal; it can just drag out your pain and recovery.”

Jack looked surprised. “Really? I thought if I left it alone, it’d just get better on its own.”

“Some things do, but many injuries need a little help,” Dr. Val said. “Think of an injury like a loose thread in a sweater. If you ignore it, it starts unraveling. Leaving it untreated can throw your body off balance, and that leads to more problems down the line.”

Jack’s eyes widened. “So waiting can actually make things… worse?”

“Exactly,” Dr. Val nodded. “Your body tries to compensate, shifting weight and movement to other muscles and joints. That extra strain can cause pain in places you didn’t even injure.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “So one injury can actually lead to another?”

“Right. But if you start treatment now, you can stop that whole cycle,” Dr. Val explained. “Early intervention means a quicker, simpler recovery—less pain, and fewer complications.”

Jack shifted, looking a bit skeptical. “But won’t that take a lot of time? All the appointments, exercises… It feels like a big hassle.”

Dr. Val smiled. “I get it, but a little time now saves you a lot of time and pain later. Think of it like an investment—you put in a little effort now to feel better down the road. And these days, treatments are designed to fit into busy schedules. It’s more doable than you think.”

Jack looked down, rubbing his shoulder. “So if I start now, I might actually feel better sooner?”

“Exactly!” Dr. Val nodded. “Most people feel improvement early on. You don’t have to wait for a full recovery to feel relief—you’ll notice the benefits as you go.”

Jack sighed, nodding slowly. “Alright, you’re right. I’ll make the time. I need to get this taken care of.”

Dr. Val smiled, satisfied. “Smart choice, Jack. Starting now is the best thing you can do.”

Ignoring an injury means being in pain longer and more recovery time. Starting treatment early lets you feel better sooner and prevents extra strain on other parts of your body. Don’t wait—take the first step today!