Whether it’s a weekend pickleball tournament gone wrong or a fender bender that left your back throbbing, injuries happen — fast. But what happens next can make all the difference in your recovery.
At iSCORE, we see too many patients weeks or months after an injury… frustrated, still in pain, and wishing they’d done things differently from the start.
Here are the top 5 mistakes we see — and how to avoid them so you can heal faster, stronger, and smarter.
1. Waiting Too Long to Get Evaluated
The mistake: “It’ll get better on its own.”
The truth: Maybe — but maybe not.
Some injuries (like sprains or bruises) do improve with rest. Others — like joint instability, disc injuries, or nerve damage — require treatment to prevent long-term issues. The longer you wait, the more chronic your pain may become, and the harder it can be to treat.
What to do instead:
If your pain lasts more than 7–10 days, keeps flaring back up, or worsens with activity, it’s time to get a specialist involved. Early intervention can mean the difference between a full recovery and a lingering issue.
2. Relying Only on Over-the-Counter Meds
The mistake: Masking pain with ibuprofen or Tylenol without addressing what’s causing it.
The truth: OTC meds can reduce inflammation temporarily, but they don’t fix damaged tissue, pinched nerves, or joint instability.
What to do instead:
Use pain meds as a short-term tool, not a long-term solution. If you’re still popping pills after a week or two, it’s time to look deeper with a medical evaluation and possibly imaging.
3. Jumping Back Into Activity Too Soon
The mistake: “I feel better, so I’m good to go!”
The truth: Pain is only part of the story. Ligaments, tendons, and muscles may still be healing under the surface, even if you feel okay.
What to do instead:
Return to activity gradually — and ideally with guidance from a medical provider or PT. Re-injury is one of the top reasons acute injuries become chronic.
4. Ignoring the Emotional and Neurological Impact
The mistake: Thinking the injury is just physical.
The truth: Car accidents and sports injuries can trigger nervous system dysregulation, chronic stress responses, and even PTSD. This makes pain more intense and harder to treat with standard care.
What to do instead:
Choose a provider who looks at the whole picture — physical, neurological, and functional. At iSCORE, we treat pain as a mind-body process, with tools like regenerative medicine, nerve blocks, and functional rehab.
5. Not Seeing a Specialist Early Enough
The mistake: Staying in the “wait-and-see” loop with urgent care or primary care for too long.
The truth: While PCPs and urgent care can be a good starting point, they’re often limited to rest, meds, or general PT referrals. If you’re still hurting after a few weeks, it’s time to escalate.
What to do instead:
Skip the referral runaround. At iSCORE, you don’t need a referral to book. We’ll give you answers fast — and a plan that actually targets the problem, not just the symptoms.
Ready to Take the Right Next Step?
Whether it’s been a few days or a few months since your injury, we’re here to help you break the cycle of incomplete healing.
📍 Clinics in Arcadia • Glendale • Palmdale
📞 Call us today: (818) 338-6860 or (626) 460-1096
📧 Email: info@iscoreinc.com
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Don’t let a mistake delay your recovery. Let’s get you back in motion — with the right care, right now.
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