Patients often learn they need to be an active force in their treatment. Experimenting with several different treatments is often necessary before finding those that help. As in exercising and working out, actively finding a way to enjoy the daily routines that are often helpful can be crucial in continued improvement. Applying ice, stretching, and taping are not inherently enjoyable activities, and it is not always obvious that they are helping. The pain usually increases gradually over weeks or months before help is sought, and improvement once treatment has begun is usually just as slow.
Patients often have to be patient.
Setbacks are the norm, and simply preventing the daily and occasional minor injuries is crucial if not the cure. A portion of a patient's lifestyle has often caused the pain, and it is that portion of their lifestyle that has to change. It takes about 36 hours for many soft-tissue injuries to reach their maximum soreness, so it's often difficult to know when you're overdoing it. Swimming is one of the few safe alternative exercises. Applying ice after lengthy activities is very important.