How do you know when to return to fighting (or even if you *can* return) after a moderate injury (not necessarily an injury due to fighting)? Do you work “through” the pain, or allow it to stop you? Are there injuries/conditions that you think indicate someone should not attempt fighting (or perhaps, fight rapier rather than heavies)?
Ciar inghean uí Mhaoildeirg
First of all we are putting a huge disclaimer on this. Any advice should be taken with common sense and after consolation with a doctor.
Kope Says:
That’s between you and your doctor. I think there are two kinds of injuries: Ones that heal with rest (like my “tennis elbow”); and ones that will feel better with rest, but never really heal (like my arthritic ankle). A stress injury like a sprain needs time and proper physical therapy to heal. Stressing it more will just prolong the time that it is injured, and can even increase the damage. With a chronic pain, you just have to decide if fighting is worth it. Running is not worth the pain to me. A ninety-minute resurrection battle is.
As with all Internet advice, your mileage may vary.
Eichling Says:
This is an ordered sequence: First you have to distinguish between pain and damage. If the injury is painful but not damaging, then the question becomes if you _want_ to fight enough to withstand the pain - It is up to the whim of the fighter. (Most bruises fall into this category.)
If damage has been done, then the question is whether continuing to fight will do further damage of consequence. If the damage is of limited consequence, you might decide to continue fighting. (Someone just stepped on my toe. I had an ingrown toenail that has now been mashed into my foot. I can feel it bleeding. The more I fight, the more it will bleed.)
If the damage is of consequence, but fighting further will not do any more damage, then you may continue. (I have just smashed my finger. It may be broken. I will borrow a gauntlet and put that hand behind me and fight single sword. I will go to the ER tonight and get it X-Rayed.)
If the damage is of consequence and further fighting will exacerbate the injury, then you should not fight, continue to fight, or go back to fighting. If you do, your friends should speak to you earnestly and attempt to dissuade you.
As long as you are coherent, the bottom line of the decision is yours, but remember that you don’t have a spare body hanging in your closet, and you may have to live with this damage the rest of your life. A little self-discipline now can improve your life and heath for, well…the rest of your life.
