Sub-Acute Injuries: The Pre-Problem You Can't Feel Yet

You feel fine. No pain. Yet your body is quietly setting the stage for future problems you can’t see coming.

The Hidden Injury You Don’t Know You Have

Most people know about acute pain, the kind that arrives suddenly and demands attention. They also recognise chronic pain, which lingers for months and becomes harder to treat.

However, there’s a third type that flies under the radar: sub-acute injury.

Sub-acute problems occur when a joint has sustained an injury but isn’t painful yet. The mechanism of pain, whether inflammation, muscle spasm, or nerve pressure, sits below the threshold required to produce a pain sensation. Touch the area, and soreness becomes evident. Press on it and you’ll feel it’s there.

It Matters More Than You Might Think

An area of the spine that’s sub-acute will have poor movement quality and a reduced range of motion. These issues may progress over time, which may contribute to stiffness or reduced function.

Whilst many people describe these changes as ageing processes, many elderly individuals who work hard on maintaining movement, posture, and strength find that they don’t have joint problems as they age. Sub-acute problems are, in fact, a pre-problem.

Simple Tests to Try at Home

Look in the mirror. Is one shoulder higher than the other? Turn your head left, then right. Does your neck move in one direction more easily? When standing, run your hand down the side of your leg whilst sidebending. Does your hand go further to one side? Can you touch your toes? When bending backwards, is your lower back uncomfortable?

These simple movements may reveal hidden restrictions.

Why Regular Chiropractic Care Makes Sense

Fitness and mobility take time to develop, and they have enormous value in the long term as your body ages and changes. Investing in yourself today with regular check-ins and tailored exercises can help you monitor function and maintain mobility.