Pain, Injuries, & Surgeries—Oh My!

You don’t have to be pain-free to get stronger. Whether you're recovering from injury, surgery, or managing chronic pain—movement is still medicine. The key? Know the difference between what to push through... and what to respect.

The Body Wants to Move!

I know the truth is something you might not want to hear, but the reality is one's lack of movement is often the source for many sources of chronic pain and fatigue. While there may be some underlying health issues contributing to this, it doesn't change the fact that the body was built for movement and benefits greatly when being used.

Your body is stronger than you think but only if you train it to be. Many people don't understand just how adaptable, capable, and resilient the human body is—especially when given the chance and the right stimulus' for growth. Muscles can be rebuilt, joints can regain function, and youthful energy can and will return—even after decades of setbacks and pain, I promise.

Pain vs. Soreness: Understanding the Difference

Understandably, many individuals get pain and soreness mixed up and use them interchangeably. As you get to learn and read your body, it is important to understand the main differences between the two, not just for yourself but also in terms of feedback to your trainer.

Pain is your body’s self defense mechanism to stop you from hurting yourself further. This can be interpreted in a variety of ways, sharp and intense or achy and irritable, but ultimately pain reduces range of motion or function entirely. It also tends to be deeper and at a specific point. This is important information for your trainer to know so they can adjust your routine accordingly.

Soreness comes from the muscles being worked and challenged over time, with your literal muscle fibers being torn and rebuilt during this time. In the beginning, this is a new sensation to the body and doesn't know how to interpret it other than as shock. After a bit of time, your body learns and adapts to what's going on and makes the proper adjustments so it can recover accordingly. This makes those sore days much harder to come by later on as you get more experience. It may seem crippling, but after a bit of stretching and warming up you'll be good to go!

Don't Let Your Health Define You

Sometimes it just feels easier to let an injury, diagnosis, or surgery take over and it quickly consumes your daily life, or even becomes your whole identity. You've fallen into the "it is what it is" mindset, with every thought, action, and decision planned around this complication and the dread thoughts of "what if..." every single day. 

Here’s the truth:  That “it is what it is” mindset is an anchor of bad habits and often where the real decline and health complications begin—not the injury itself. Just because your body has been through something doesn’t mean it’s broken. It means you’ve been tested. You’re not defined by your lab diagnosis or MRI results, —you’re defined by your effort and your determination to write your comeback story and the life you want to live.

What You Need to Know

• Don't Overthink It

  • Not surprisingly, the mind is often the biggest roadblock stopping you from pushing yourself to where you need to be. There have been several studies highlighting how strong and durable your muscles are when needed… it’s just usually that little voice that's holding back. Don't let it win.

    
    

• Delayed Onset Muscle Syndrome (DOMS)

  • This is often the crippling soreness that many refer to as "pain" and "everything hurts". It typically peaks 48–72 hours post-exercise, and improves with light activity like walking or stretching. Make sure to drink plenty of water and stay loose!

• Blessing in Disguise

  • Sometimes pain forces you to slow down, reflect, and approach things from another perspective. Pain means something deeper is going on and requires attention or modification. When you respond with intention, and not panic or fear, you start to build confidence in your body’s resilience and path going forward, and how to handle any future setbacks.

---

Ready to take the next step?

💪 Schedule your 2 Free Sessions to get started

📞Call, Email, or Text me if you'd like to discuss this topic

📲 Get Started with a Custom Workout Plan tailored to your health, needs, and schedule

📬 Join the newsletter for monthly workout tips and free lifestyle cheat sheets

📷 Follow me on Instagram for weekly motivation, progress tips, and adventures