What if recovering from pain didn’t have to be painful?
One of the most persistent myths about pain recovery is “No Pain, No Gain.” While effort matters, pain is rarely a sign that you’re making progress. In fact, pushing through pain can often make symptoms worse. The result? Many people swing to the opposite extreme and begin avoiding movement altogether. The surprising part is that research shows both extremes of pushing through pain and avoiding activity can actually increase pain and disability. Recovery is rarely about doing more or doing less. It’s about finding the right amount…for you.
Instead of pushing through pain or avoiding activity, I encourage my clients to practice the power of pacing. My favorite word is nudge, and, embracing my own quirkiness, I often remind people that it rhymes with fudge. A nudge is a small step forward that your body and nervous system can handle. It might be walking one minute longer, or standing while you answer emails, or returning to an activity you’ve been avoiding for a few minutes. The goal isn’t to prove how tough you are. The goal is to create enough safety and confidence for your nervous system to trust movement again. Small, consistent nudges lead to meaningful change.
If you’re stuck on the roundabout of pain where you push through and pay later, you’re not alone. Pain recovery does not have to be painful- pain is NOT a life sentence. It can be thoughtful, strategic, and even empowering. Understanding pain is an important first step toward changing it. Whether pain is affecting your work, your hobbies, your sleep, your relationships, or simply your ability to enjoy life, there is hope.
Care to learn more? Let’s hop on a call and just chat. I’d love to hear your story and help you explore what might be possible — schedule a time at https://calendly.com/jen-irise
