Is Your Old Injury Acting Up Again? Time to Get It Checked
on Thursday, June 26, 2025
It happens all the time. You’re enjoying your summer — hiking, traveling, maybe tackling a few long-postponed projects — and suddenly, that old injury flares up again.
The same knee that sidelined you last year is swelling. Your lower back twinges when you get out of the car. That shoulder strain from a past yardwork mishap is back with a vengeance.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to suffer through it.
At Renew Physical Therapy, we work with patients across Portland, Gresham, Happy Valley, and Clackamas to address recurring pain at its root. Our goal is simple: help you heal smarter this time, so you don’t keep repeating the cycle.
Why Old Injuries Come Back — Especially in Summer
Summer activity levels tend to spike, and with them, so do flare-ups of previous injuries. Here’s why:
- Increased activity: More hiking, biking, lifting, or even long drives can stress weakened or unhealed tissues.
- Compensation patterns: If your body never fully recovered, it may have developed inefficient movement habits, putting strain on nearby joints or muscles.
- Environmental triggers: Working on uneven terrain, sleeping in a strange bed on vacation, or walking more than usual can stress vulnerable areas.
- Heat and dehydration: Hot weather can impact joint inflammation and muscle recovery, especially if you’re not hydrating properly.
If you’re from areas like Happy Valley or Clackamas where outdoor summer lifestyles are the norm, you’re probably more susceptible to these patterns of injury recurrence.
Signs Your Old Injury Needs Attention Again
It’s easy to dismiss pain and tell yourself it’ll go away on its own. But here are some signs that it’s time to get your old injury professionally evaluated:
- Pain that returns with activity or specific motions
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting
- Swelling or warmth around an old injury site
- Weakness or instability in a joint
- Fear or hesitation when moving a certain way
- A “nagging” discomfort that’s getting harder to ignore
These symptoms are your body’s way of saying, “I need help.”
Why Physical Therapy Is Key for Long-Term Healing
At Renew PT, we don’t just treat symptoms — we focus on function. Our approach is rooted in understanding why your injury returned and what needs to happen so it doesn’t come back again.
Here’s how we help:
1. Comprehensive Movement Assessment
We don’t just look at the painful joint. We evaluate how the whole body moves to understand whether muscular imbalances, joint restrictions, or poor mechanics are contributing to the issue.
2. Targeted Strengthening and Stabilization
Many recurring injuries are due to weak or underused muscles. We’ll help you strengthen the areas that support your injury site, restoring balance and durability.
3. Manual Therapy to Restore Mobility
If scar tissue or stiffness is limiting your range of motion, our hands-on techniques help break it down and restore fluid movement.
4. Education for Prevention
We teach you how to move better, lift smarter, and stretch effectively — so you know how to avoid re-injury in real-world situations.
Old Injuries We Commonly See Flare Up in Summer
Some of the most common recurrences we see at Renew PT include:
- Knee pain: Previous ACL or meniscus injuries that ache after hikes or stairs
- Low back strain: Old lifting injuries that return with yardwork or travel
- Shoulder impingement: From old sports injuries or repetitive motion
- Ankle sprains: Instability on uneven ground or during outdoor recreation
- Neck tension: From whiplash or tech neck issues that get aggravated while traveling
If you’re living in or near Clackamas or Happy Valley and regularly enjoy summer hikes, gardening, or home improvement work, your risk of re-aggravating these injuries is even higher.
Why Now Is the Right Time to Get Checked
Waiting only delays healing. By addressing pain early — before it becomes chronic — you’ll recover faster, with fewer complications.
Plus, summer is full of movement. Whether it’s a family vacation, a backyard BBQ, or a long hike in Forest Park, you deserve to enjoy it pain-free.
At Renew PT, we help you:
- Understand why the injury is recurring
- Treat it with personalized, hands-on care
- Build strength to support long-term recovery
- Get back to life with more confidence and less pain
Don’t Let the Past Keep You from Enjoying the Present
Old injuries don’t have to define your summer. With the right physical therapy approach, you can finally close the chapter on recurring pain — and move forward with strength and confidence.
Learn more about us here.
Call us at 503.928.4914 to schedule your appointment today.
