Exercise and Strength for Your Pain

Have you ever been injured and your therapist suggested passive treatments - rest, medication, massage, dry needling? Only to hope it works for your long term injury?

However, what the research shows is that for most conditions - exercise and strengthening exercises provides more benefit than passive treatments. In some cases, passive treatments - especially rest - is not recommended or really just

Pain and injuries are a frustrating reality for many people, whether you're an athlete, a weekend warrior, or someone dealing with everyday aches and pains. When pain strikes, the instinctive reaction is often to rest and avoid movement. While rest has its place, strength training is one of the most effective tools for managing pain and promoting long-term recovery. Here's why strength is always beneficial when it comes to pain and injuries.

1. Strength Improves Movement Efficiency

Pain can alter movement patterns, leading to compensations that create further problems. Strength training helps restore proper mechanics, allowing the body to move more efficiently and reducing stress on injured or overworked tissues.

2. Strength Enhances Load Tolerance

A common issue with chronic pain or recurring injuries is that the body isn’t capable of handling daily stressors. Strength training progressively increases the body’s ability to tolerate load, meaning your tissues become more resilient to both physical activity and unexpected demands.

3. Strength Helps You Become More Resilient to Injuries

Weakness and poor movement control can be a risk factor for injury. Strength training addresses these weaknesses, improving balance, coordination, and joint stability. Whether it's preventing falls, avoiding back pain, or reducing the likelihood of re-injury, a stronger body is always a safer body.

4. Strength Training Builds Confidence

Pain and injuries can lead to fear of movement, creating a cycle where inactivity worsens the issue. Strength training helps rebuild confidence in movement, showing that the body is capable of handling stress and improving over time. The psychological benefits of getting stronger can be just as powerful as the physical ones.

5. Strength-Based Rehab Is Backed by Science

Modern rehabilitation approaches have shifted away from prolonged rest and passive treatments. Instead, progressive strength training is widely recognized as an essential part of recovering from injuries such as low back pain, tendinopathies, and knee issues. Research consistently supports strength training as a safe and effective way to rehabilitate injuries and reduce pain long-term.

6. The Limitations of Passive Treatments

While passive treatments like rest, massage, and other forms of adjunct therapy (dry needling, cupping, etc.) can provide temporary relief by modulating pain, they often do not address the root cause of the issue. Some passive modalities may not offer lasting benefits, and relying solely on them can delay recovery. In contrast, strength training and exercise actively build resilience, restore function, and improve both physical and mental health. Movement-based interventions have been shown to enhance overall well-being, reduce fear of movement, and contribute to long-term pain management. Strength is a solution that consistently delivers benefits beyond just symptom relief.

Final Thoughts

Strength is not just for athletes or bodybuilders—it’s a fundamental aspect of health and pain management for everyone. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or simply looking to future-proof your body, incorporating strength training into your routine can be one of the most beneficial choices you make. The key is to start at an appropriate level and progressively build capacity under proper guidance.

Pain might be complex, but one thing is clear: strength is always part of the solution.

Have pain or an injury that’s stopping you from being active? Don’t know how to progress with your exercises while you have pain? Book a FREE 30-minute discovery call to discuss your goals, assess your current condition, and build a plan that prioritises active recovery and long-term performance.

Let’s get you back in the game—stronger and more prepared than ever.

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