No Pain, No Gain? Why That’s Not Always True in Rehab

AJ Kirkpatrick, PT, DPT
Jul 31
2 min read

Understanding the Role of Pain in Physical Therapy

At Kinetik Performance and Rehab, one of the most common phrases we hear patients say—often with a grimace—is: “No pain, no gain, right?” While this might work in the gym or on the playing field, it’s not always the best mindset when it comes to physical therapy.

In fact, when it comes to healing an injury or recovering from surgery, pain is not a badge of honor—it’s a message.

Pain vs. Discomfort: Know the Difference

Rehab can be challenging, and some mild discomfort or fatigue is expected as your body re-learns how to move properly. But sharp, stabbing, or worsening pain is your body’s way of saying something isn’t right.

At Kinetik Performance and Rehab, we train you to listen to your body—not push past its limits.

Why More Pain Can Lead to Less Progress

Forcing your way through pain can:

Aggravate your injury
Delay healing
Create new movement compensations
Increase inflammation and joint stress

Instead, we focus on controlled, progressive loading that helps rebuild strength and mobility without triggering setbacks.

What to Expect in a PT Session

Your physical therapy sessions should feel:

Challenging – yes
Slightly uncomfortable at times – maybe
Painful to the point of limping or needing medication after – no

We track your symptoms closely and modify your program as needed to ensure progress without pain.

The Real Goal: Pain-Free Performance

True progress in PT isn’t measured by how much pain you tolerate, but by how much better you move, feel, and function over time. Our mission at Kinetik Performance and Rehab is to guide you through recovery safely and confidently—without unnecessary suffering.