Probably one of the most common reasons we see new patients in the office is for aches, pains, new pains they're experiencing. And invariably, when I ask them, "What changed in your routine recently," they've either started a workout routine, started a new exercise program, to decided to make a lifestyle change to improve their health. And making that sudden change has resulted in some pain which concerns them.

The best thing I could do for them is give them some advice on how to enter that activity in a structured way and treat the occasional aches and pains that invariably develop, help them to not worry about it so they could get through that stage.

So, if someone is considering entering a new exercise routine, a new activity or sport, it certainly, if they have an established physician they've worked with, a good idea to let them know. If they don't have an established physician, talk to a therapist, talk to a trainer, talk to somebody who has done just that to try and get some of the tricks to avoid injury as you enter a new activity.

- Jason Batley, MD