Pain is one of the most misunderstood parts of recovery. Many people assume that pain always equals injury — or that if something hurts, they must be doing more harm than good. But pain is not that simple.
Pain is a sensation, not a direct measurement of damage. It’s your brain’s interpretation of signals from the body, influenced by physical, chemical, and even emotional factors. That’s why:
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Pain can exist without tissue injury (think of a headache or phantom limb pain).
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Pain can also be absent even when tissue damage is present (like an athlete playing through a broken bone they didn’t realize was fractured until later).
Pain Is Personal and Subjective
Two people can experience the same movement or condition in very different ways:
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One person may feel sharp pain while another only notices mild stiffness.
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Previous injuries, stress levels, sleep, and even beliefs about pain can all affect the intensity of what you feel.
This is why pain should never be taken as a one-size-fits-all indicator. It’s highly individual.
When Pain Is Okay During Rehab
A little discomfort is often a normal part of the healing process. As you reintroduce movement and load to healing tissue, the body is learning to adapt and become stronger again. Mild pain can be safe and expected when:
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It stays at a low level (think 2–4/10 on a pain scale).
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It improves as you warm up or move through the activity.
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It lessens in the hours and days afterward, not gets worse.
In these cases, pain is more like background noise — your body’s way of saying “I’m aware of this,” not “Stop immediately.”
When Pain Is a Red Flag
There are times, however, when pain should guide you to change course. If you notice:
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Sharp, stabbing, or severe pain.
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Pain that progressively worsens with continued activity.
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Pain that lingers or escalates after 24–48 hours.
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Sudden loss of strength, stability, or control.
These are signs that your body is not adapting well, and it may be time to adjust your rehab plan or get a professional evaluation.
The Bottom Line
Pain is not always the enemy — sometimes it’s simply part of the journey back to strength. The key is learning to recognize the difference between “acceptable pain” and “warning signs.”
Rehab often requires a bit of trial and error, but the process becomes much clearer with guidance. Having a professional in your corner can help you safely push through the right amount of discomfort, while knowing when to pull back.
Dr. David Farley
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