A few years ago, in the dead of winter with snow piled high, I did the unthinkable for a physical therapist: I slipped on the ice and landed on my left elbow and wrist. As I was squirming around on the ground in my skirt and boots, trying to get out from under the car I had slid under, all I could think of was what I might have hurt. The pain dashed about between my elbow and my wrist. Honestly, I couldn't tell which was worst, it just all hurt, but I knew by the type of pain I had that I probably had broken something.

Often with acute injuries, like a fall, it is easy to know that the injury is serious. However other times, especially with my athletes, it may be more difficult to identify whether an injury is something to worry about or not. Usually, my athletes deal with aches and pains everyday, in fact the first day of their season is usually their best day — after that they always have something nagging them. But how do they know when that constant irritation might be a signal of something worse? Certain symptoms may indicate other more serious problems are present, and it is important that they understand the warning signs and when to seek professional help. Here are some important signs and symptoms to watch for:

1. Pain: If you have persistent pain that is not really going away with rest. If you have pain when you touch of an area whether it is muscle, joint or bone it could be serious. If you have pain that is getting worse instead of better, then you need to see your healthcare provider.

2. Swelling: If you have a great deal of swelling in an area and the swelling does not subside with ice, elevation, compression and rest. If the swelling increases with joint movements and activity,then this is a signal for you to have it assessed.

3. Loss of motion at a joint: If a joint feels stiff like it doesn't want to move, has sharp, throbbing pain when you try to use it and it lasts more than 48 hours, you need to see your MD.

4. Weakness: Muscles and joints that feel like they want to "give way" when you try to use them is a sure sign that something is not right with either the muscles, joints or both. You should be symmetrical on both arms and legs. If one side can do the motion and the other side is unable to do it, then something is wrong and needs to be looked at by a professional.

5. Numbness and tingling: If you ever have any numbness and tingling associated with any injury this is sign that a nerve has been compromised and this needs to be assessed by your MD. Numbness and tingling is not normal and needs to be dealt with quickly as not to damage the nerve.

6. Loss of mobility: Any loss of mobility whether in muscles or other soft tissue is a signal something is not right. An old scar from surgery may be too tight and when you started training it hurt and made other tissue painful.

7. Loss of balance: Any unusual, unexplained loss of balance during your daily activities or training needs to be discussed with your MD if it does not subside. You should be able to stand on one leg for three minutes if you train regularly.

Many of us, whether athletes or not, sometimes push our bodies too hard and do not listen to the warning signs that our body is talking to us about. That back pain that happens everyday on our drive to work, that shoulder that is so stiff you can't put your arm behind your back and that foot that swells everyday after standing at work. Many times more serious issues can be avoided if we just listen and decide to be proactive. Start with the easy care first like rest, ice, compression and elevation. If the body does not respond then seek the attention of your physical therapist. They are movement specialists, it's what they do everyday. They can screen you and help to determine if you have a more serious injury. If multiple symptoms listed above are affecting you and you are unable to participate in your daily life, gym or sports, please call to see your MD. You want to quickly resolve issues before they cause more problems.

As for my fall, my wrist kept talking to me, not my elbow. My wrist was swollen, stiff and painful, so I braced it, iced it and finally two days later I got an X-ray. Sure enough I had a unusually rare fracture in my wrist and I had some ligament damage as well. So I spent the next four months with a brace on my left wrist, which is kind of crazy for a person who uses their hands everyday for work. But I listened to my body talking, and now my left wrist is just as good as the right one. So remember to pay attention to your body, it might be trying to tell you something.

Sheree DiBiase, PT, is the owner of Lake City Physical Therapy and she and her incredible staff can be reached in their Coeur d'Alene office at (208) 667-1988 and in their Spokane Valley office at (509) 891-2623. We are excited to let you know that soon you will be able to have care in their new Hayden office as well. We will keep you posted on all the details.