Unpopular Opinion: Pain-Free is Not the Goal
By: Kelsie Mazur, DPT
When people think of physical therapy, they usually imagine a path to being completely pain-free. It makes sense—who doesn’t want to live without pain? But here’s the truth: pain-free isn’t the goal. At least, not in the way you might think. This is a major lesson I teach all of my patients through on day one of physical therapy. The real goal is to learn how to manage pain when it inevitably shows up, even for those with more chronic pain.
Think of it this way: imagine if a psychologist's goal was to help clients live a life free of sadness. That’d be unrealistic, right? Instead, they help people understand, cope with, and work through emotions. Pain works the same way. It's part of life—especially in sports, fitness, and everyday activities. As you push your body, some discomfort is normal. The key is not avoiding pain, but learning how to handle it.
Pain can actually be a teacher. It tells you when something needs attention, or when you're pushing your body to grow. After an injury, some discomfort might mean your muscles are waking up and getting stronger. But if pain is sharp or persistent, it’s your body saying, “Hey, take a step back.”
Like when you train for a race or lift heavier weights, there will be soreness along the way. That’s your body adapting and building strength. But knowing the difference between good soreness and harmful pain is key—and that's where physical therapy comes in. We teach you how to recognize the difference, and how to respond in a way that keeps you progressing without pushing too hard.
Progress is the goal, not perfection. In physical therapy, it’s about small wins. You might not be running a marathon pain-free yet, but if you’re increasing your range of motion, building strength, or managing discomfort, you’re on the right track! Physical progress is gradual, and discomfort is part of the process. But every step forward counts.
So, instead of fearing pain or trying to eliminate it, embrace it as part of the journey. Pain doesn’t need to be avoided, it needs to be understood. Over time, as your body adapts and gets stronger, you’ll see how pain becomes less of a roadblock and more of a tool.
Remember, pain might never fully disappear, and that’s okay. Just like we don’t aim for a sadness-free life, we shouldn’t expect to live a pain-free one. The goal of physical therapy is to understand and manage pain, not eliminate it. Progress takes time, but every step forward no matter how small, is a win.
Did you know that we offer free 1-on-1 injury screens? Wattage Physical Therapy will take an in depth look at your ergonomics, posture, muscle tone, muscle weaknesses, and movement patterns to create a plan for YOU. If this article intrigues you, you can directly email me, Kelsie at Kelsie@wattagept.com. I would be happy to help you start the process of living a life free from pain.