My ROM is better, why am I still having pain?

So, this can be a bit of a loaded question or a tough one to answer because it depends a lot on each individual client's case. First, pain can be very complex and dependent on lots of things (multifactorial). But, for the sake of this blog post, we're going to try to boil it down to a single, straightforward answer. Please remember that in some cases, this will be an over-simplified and very biomechanical answer. If you've been having pain or any other nagging issue that hasn't gotten better, please reach out to us using the link below, so we can ask you questions, understand your situation specifically and help you way more than we're able to in any short blog post.

Back to our answer...if all of the sudden, you have much better ROM and you're still having pain, I often use a car analogy. Think about when you were first learning to drive. You probably learned to drive in an older vehicle that wasn't the fastest, newest or best car out there at the time. So, let's say you learn to drive at 60 mph and you feel really good about going at that speed. Now, one day someone just decides to "super charge" your old car and all of the sudden instead of 60 mph, it can instantly go 100 mph. Should you go out and drive that car at 100 mph right away? Nope, probably not (but we were all teens at some point, so maybe you did). Instead of going full throttle at 100+ mph, it would make more sense to feel confident driving 70, then 80, then 90 and then 100 mph if you wanted to go that fast. Right?

Now, let's bring this back to our ROM example. If your shoulder ROM was limited (60 mph) and then all of the sudden, you're able to move your arm to the end of your true shoulder ROM (100 mph) that's great. But then, you need to make sure that you're ready to move your shoulder 100 mph (come on, keep up!). Now that you have the ROM, we need to make sure that you're comfortable, confident and strong in your new ROM.

You'll hear us say "own your end range" a bunch in the clinic and it's a very fitting sentiment for this situation. Now that you have a farther end range, you need to work in that new ROM so that you can "own it" and your brain and body allow you to go there confidently and without pain.

Does this sound like you? Maybe you've been stretching like crazy and just not getting any better? Well, you just might need to work to get stronger in and own your new end range! If you or someone you know is dealing with a nagging issue like this, let us know! We see this kind of issue all the time when clients come in and as they progress into greater challenges. Click, call or text us to see how we can help you!

Reach out to matt@evolv-pt.com to speak with one of our therapists today! Or text (262)846-5141