As an endurance athlete, it's not uncommon to experience niggles in training and racing - tightness, numbness, discomfort, lack of mobility, and - yes - pain. But, is all pain bad? Does it always mean something is wrong?

Pain is an important positive sign to highlight issues that are going on with your body, and there isn't anyone that knows more about pain than Dr. Tim Deer, President and CEO of The Spine & Nerve Centers in Charleston, West Virginia and Chairman and Founder of The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN).

In addition to being a world-renowned physician and researcher, Dr. Tim Deer is also an accomplished endurance athlete with multiple IRONMANS and Ultras under his belt, including Badwater 135, IRONMAN World Championships, the Leadville 100, the Boston Marathon, and more. 

Matt and Tim go head-to-toe on the subject of body pain, how to spot key red flags, and what to do to prevent and manage your symptoms. This interview goes well beyond simple injury prevention education. You'll learn:

• Why do humans experience pain? What is the role of pain in the body?

Pain originally was part of the story of humankind as a warning sign to tell us we're getting too hot, too cold, too sharp, you know too, too much trauma to your body. So pain actually in its basic senses is a good thing. It tells us something's going on. - Dr. Tim Deer

• What is actually happening when we experience pain?

When you have pain, if it's coming from the peripheral nervous system, which is a nervous system in your joints in your spine... It'll actually be in a activation of different fibers of nerve that goes back to an area of your spinal cord called the dorsal root ganglion into the spinal cord, and then synapses up to your brain into the thalamus and into the other areas that really have pain perception. So pain is a physiological event.

• What is the difference between acute, chronic and intermittent pain?

• How do you know (Is there a guide?) if you should push through your pain?

• Identifying common pain areas in your body - neck, shoulders, elbows, hips

• The potential culprits of some of these pain points - bike fit, position, physiology, form, impact, trauma, etc:

• Potential treatment protocols based on the severity of the injury

• Discerning valid vs. voodoo treatment protocols?

• Suggestions on how to maintain stress on the body while recovering from injuries

• Developing a smart and proper mindset when dealing with pain

• Self-care and at-home treatment protocols to alleviate, manage, and diminish pain

Pain isn't necessarily a bad thing, but if not managed with care and pragmatism, it can be a showstopper. Don't try to suppress, ignore, or beat it...Your role with pain? 

Shift that relationship as a signal that you're doing something special.

Pain can be one of your biggest teachers.

Episode Timestamps

0:00-07:20 Introduction and Squaddie Update - If training and racing feel like a second job, we invite you to join the Purple Patch Tri Squad

Charging towards race day and have questions? Book a consult with one of our Purple Patch coaches

7:30- The Meat and Potatoes - Experiencing pain? How might that affect your performance?

Purple Patch and Episode Resources

This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Inside Tracker and Purple Patch- Receive 20% off their services with code: PURPLEPATCHPRO20

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