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Pain Doesn't Mean You're Broken - Here's the Truth

Pain Doesn’t Always Equal Damage

October 10, 2024

Have you had pain and immediately thought, “It hurts, so something must be wrong, STOP EVERYTHING”? 

You’re not alone—most people believe that pain is always a sign of injury or damage, and that continuing to move will make things worse.

But here's the truth: pain doesn't always mean something is damaged.

Let me explain…

When I first started in my doctorate program, I had the same belief—that pain was the body’s way of saying, “Something’s hurt, stop everything!” But as I learned more, I realized it’s not that simple.

Pain is complicated. Yes, it can signal injury, but a lot of the time, it’s your nervous system reacting to things like stress, lack of sleep, poor nutrition, overuse, or even fear of movement.

Why does this matter?

Because if you stop moving every time you feel pain, you could actually be making things worse.

Here’s what happens: by avoiding movement, your muscles can get weaker, your joints stiffer, and over time, you might even become more sensitive to pain. It's a vicious cycle, but there’s a way out.

Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Pain is an alarm, as signal for change, not a disaster: Just because the alarm is going off, doesn’t mean your body is “on fire.” Pain is your body’s way of grabbing your attention, but it doesn’t always mean something’s damaged.

  2. Movement is medicine: When done right, gradually reintroducing movement—even when it’s uncomfortable—can help your body build resilience. And guess what? This can actually reduce pain over time.

  3. Strength and mobility are the keys: The real secret to long-term relief isn’t just masking the pain. It’s improving how your body moves and building strength so you can get to the root cause, not just treat the symptoms.

If you’ve been avoiding movement because of pain, it’s time to change the script. You don’t have to live with that fear or restriction anymore.

If you’re ready to take back control of your body, move confidently, and leave the fear of pain behind, make that choice today.

Make moves.

Talk Soon,

- Dr. Kyler

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