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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Hannah Coates

Bouncing back: from an ankle sprains to a shoulder pinch, experts on how to recover from common injuries

A man wearing green shorts and with a support on his ankle bouncing on a pogo stick against a graduated blue and green background
Photographs: Kellie French/The Guardian Photograph: Kellie French/The Guardian

There’s nothing quite like a persistent ache or pain to ruin your mood. Whether it’s a recurring twinge in your lower back or an acute injury from an accident, most issues stem from imbalance – when one area of the body compensates for weakness elsewhere.

“Our bodies are inherently asymmetrical – no one’s left and right sides are exactly the same,” says personal trainer Luke Worthington. “Problems arise when we inadvertently force symmetry, trying to make both sides move identically. It disrupts our natural equilibrium and leads to overuse, strain or injury.”

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