My super secret tip: for every little ache and pain - get a doc to give you an Rx to a physical therapist. It might turn out to be nothing, might turn into something worse - either way PTs are awesome magic workers. I will elaborate:
- Drs are mostly limited to two things, surgery or an Rx (ok maybe a few other things).
- PTs can't do those, but they can use stretching, massage, electro stimulation, exercise, and all sorts of practical, cheap methods to make you feel better.
- (In the US at least) medical plan PT allocations are designed for the elderly when they break a hip. So there are usually a ton of free (or very subsidized) sessions in your plan. Way more than you'd need in a year, even if you do break something at 40.
- They know the mechanics of the human body in a practical way that no doc has ever learned at school. I call it PT magic. Hey, your shoulder hurts, do this leg hammy stretch, voila and your shoulder feels better.
- I can also share some of my other personal training goals (don't be fat, don't die early) and it's like having a subsidized personal trainer. And one better than any you could get at the gym.