Signs You’re Improving, Even If You’re Still in Pain

What If Pain Isn’t the Best Marker of Recovery?

When it comes to recovery from pain or injury, both practitioners as well as patients tend to put a lot of focus on pain as a marker of improvement. But this is not always optimal or realistic. 

When it comes to monitoring your progress and even understanding if you’re on the right track with management, sometimes we have to look just beyond how much pain you’re in.

Signs You’re Improving, Even If You’re Still in Pain:

1. You’re Doing More and Feeling Less

This is a classic scenario that we find all the time with patients. Oftentimes, as injuries start to improve and settle, we will encourage you to get back to moving or loading the area again.

Part of the process in this case is that we expect you to recover a degree of capacity while still being in some degree of pain or discomfort. 

So if you are doing more than you were previously, but having the same amount of pain or even less, this is actually an overall net improvement in your condition.

2. You Bounce Back Quicker from Flare-Ups

Particularly with chronic, recurrent conditions, such as for those people who seem to always tweak their lower back, if we’re getting to the stage where you’re still experiencing some flare-up of symptoms, but it’s much less frequent and you’re overall bouncing back quicker and more confidently, this is a really good sign of improvement.

3. The Area, Intensity, and Duration of Pain Have Changed

If you’re still experiencing, for example, back pain but it’s no longer going down your leg and is now just localised to the lower back.

Whether, it’s gone from sharp to dull.
If it’s gone from 5/10 pain to 3/10 pain.

This is still a really positive improvement and indicates you are on the right path and plan in terms of management.

4. You’re Waking Up Feeling Better in the Mornings

With a lot of painful conditions, such as lower back pain, disc injuries and various lower limb tendinopathies, we expect a degree of morning pain and stiffness associated with the problem.

If you’re experiencing less pain during these key times, it’s a really strong indicator that you’re making good progress and the problem is settling.

5. You’re Thinking About the Pain Less Often

Particularly with chronic conditions, when patients first come in or start treatment, they often have a high degree of awareness about their pain. It’s something that’s constantly front of mind.

As we progress throughout treatment, even if you’re still having pain, but your awareness and focus is far less pain-centred, this is a great sign of progress.

6. You’re Less Worried or Anxious About the Pain

Particularly with high levels of pain, such as acute injuries or unpredictable flare-ups, patients are often quite anxious about the pain and actively avoid doing things that might trigger symptoms.

If you’re still experiencing the same injury or problem but you’re much calmer about it, this is a really key positive indicator.

Conclusion: Pay Attention to Function as Well as Pain

As professionals who deal with patients in pain all day long, and who have also gone through our fair share of pain and injuries, we know how frustrating pain can be. We want to make sure that you’re having a clear outcome and making good progress.

But when it comes to marking progress, we often have to look at function over pain.

So when you’re evaluating your recovery, remember:
Progress isn’t just about pain going away. It’s about what you’re able to do again.

Need Support Tracking Your Progress?

If you’re unsure whether you’re on the right track with your recovery or if pain is still lingering despite your efforts, our team at Fortitude Chiropractic is here to help.

Book an appointment online or contact us today and let’s work together to improve your function, confidence, and overall wellbeing.

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