Why You Should ADDRESS PAIN Instead of Avoiding It! | Mind Pump 2008

Pain Feedback

Pain is often misunderstood as a signal to stop an activity, but it should be viewed as feedback from the body indicating an underlying issue. Sal Di Stefano emphasizes that avoiding movements due to pain can lead to further deterioration, as the body "prunes away" unused skills and abilities 1. Instead, addressing the root cause of the pain is crucial for maintaining function and mobility. Adam Schafer adds that pain during exercises like squats or deadlifts often stems from improper form rather than the exercises themselves 2. This perspective aligns with physical therapy practices, where aids like walkers are only used as a last resort to prevent further decline 3.

   

Fundamental Movements

Maintaining fundamental human movements is essential, even when discomfort arises. Sal Di Stefano argues that avoiding exercises like bench presses or squats due to discomfort can lead to a decline in overall functionality 4. Instead, the focus should be on identifying and addressing the root causes of discomfort to improve movement capacity. Justin Andrews shares that even if clients never achieve perfect form, the pursuit of improvement can alleviate pain and enhance daily functionality 4.