Taking Care of Your Body Is Not Selfish. It’s Preventative.

By Dr. Andrew Kakishita, DC

Why This Topic Comes Up So Often

A lot of people feel guilty taking time to care for their body. They worry it is selfish or unnecessary, especially when they are busy with work, family, and daily responsibilities.

Most people do not want to overreact to aches or pain. They tell themselves it will go away. Sometimes it does. Other times, it quietly builds.

How Pain Usually Starts

Pain rarely shows up out of nowhere. It often starts as small warning signs.

Tightness that does not fully resolve. A dull ache at the end of the day. Pain that shows up only when things slow down.

When these signs are ignored, the body adapts. Muscles guard. Joints move less. Tissues become more sensitive. Over time, the issue becomes harder to calm down than it needed to be.

Why Early Care Is Preventative

Preventative care is not about overdoing treatment. It is about supporting tissues before they are overwhelmed.

Movement, strength, and recovery help tissues tolerate daily stress. Sometimes additional support is helpful when tissues are slow to respond.

Research shows shockwave therapy can be an effective option for improving tissue health and load tolerance. It is commonly used for conditions like plantar fasciitis and chronic tendon pain. Shockwave therapy works best when paired with movement and rehab rather than used on its own.

Why Waiting Often Makes Things Harder

Many people wait until pain forces them to stop. At that point, the body has already been compensating for a while.

Addressing things earlier often means fewer setbacks and a smoother recovery. It does not mean something is seriously wrong. It usually means the body needs some support.

The Takeaway

Taking care of your body is not selfish. It is a way to prevent small issues from turning into bigger ones. Paying attention early often saves time, stress, and frustration later.