The warmer weather and longer evenings, plus the inspiration of summer sporting events, mean that many of us will be getting more active.
But a GP is warning Brits to take care when getting back into exercise this summer, as rising search interest for physiotherapists and sports injuries suggests more people may be dealing with aches, strains, and recurring injuries.
Google searches for “physiotherapist” and “physio near me” have jumped 25% in the past month, with over 233,000 combined searches from people seeking advice and aid for their injuries.
Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director at Midland Health, is warning that suddenly increasing activity levels can raise the risk of injury and is sharing practical advice on how to get back into exercise without harming your health.
“One of the most common mistakes people make is trying to return to their previous fitness level straight away. Even if you used to be regularly active, a break from exercise can reduce strength, stamina, and mobility. That’s why a sensible approach is to start below the level that you think you are at. It’s much safer to build up gradually than to push hard and spend the next month injured.
“For running, this might mean mixing walking and jogging rather than going straight into continuous runs. For strength training, it could mean lighter weights. For sport, it may mean starting with shorter sessions or lower-intensity practice before returning to full games.”
“A proper warm-up also helps. Preparing the body for movement by gradually increasing your heart rate improves blood flow to muscles and lubricates joints. It can include gentle jogging, dynamic stretches, or low-intensity drills that help to effectively prepare your body. Without a warm-up, you risk causing your body physical stress, leading to things like muscle strains and joint injuries that can have negative impacts further down the line.
“This is because old injuries can flare up when people return to exercise, especially if you didn’t fully recover at the time. Recurring injuries should definitely not be ignored, as recurring pain may mean something has not been addressed properly. It could be caused by weakness, poor technique, lack of mobility, inappropriate footwear, overtraining, or returning to activity before the area is ready. If the same injury keeps returning, it’s worth getting professional advice rather than repeatedly resting it, feeling better, and then triggering it again.
“Recovery is bigger than most people expect. Sleep, hydration, nutrition, rest days, and not overworking the same area repeatedly are all important. If your body is continually sore after every session, that’s a sign to review what you are doing rather than just stretching and carrying on.
“Some muscle soreness after exercise can be normal, especially when starting something new. However, sharp pain, swelling, instability, numbness, pain that changes how you walk or move, or pain that worsens during activity should not be ignored.
“Pain is a warning sign. Resting for a day or two after can prevent a mild problem from becoming something more serious. However, while rest is important, it’s not always the best solution for recurring or ongoing issues. In many cases, people benefit from seeking medical advice from a doctor or physiotherapist and addressing the underlying issues.”
