Don’t Trust Your Pain—At Least, Not Entirely

When it comes to pain, what you feel isn’t always the full story.

One of the most common questions I hear in the clinic is: “Why are you treating my back when my pain is in my leg (or shoulder, or neck)?” It’s a great question—and the answer lies in how your body and brain work together.

Pain Is Real, but It’s Also Interpreted

Pain is experienced in a specific part of the body, but it’s actually processed and interpreted by your brain. Think of your brain as your body’s mainframe computer—constantly taking in information from your joints, muscles, nerves, and even your environment.

But here’s the tricky part: sometimes the brain gets confused.

With all that incoming data, your brain might misinterpret where the problem is, and send out a pain signal to a general region—even if the root cause is elsewhere.

Phantom Pain: A Powerful Example

Take phantom limb syndrome as an example. People who’ve lost a limb often still feel sensations—sometimes even pain—in the area where the limb used to be. While that’s an extreme case, it shows just how powerful and, at times, misleading the brain’s interpretation of pain can be.

So if you’re experiencing pain in your shoulder, but we’re working on your upper back or neck, there’s a reason. The source of the issue isn’t always where you feel it.

Healing Takes Time—and Recalibration

If you’re in treatment and still feeling symptoms, that doesn’t mean things aren’t improving. Often, the affected tissues begin to recover before the pain actually disappears. This is especially common with chronic issues that have developed over months or years.

Your brain needs time to adjust—what we call a “recalibration.” It’s learning to trust the new, more efficient movement patterns we’re creating through treatment and exercise. During this process, your pain may shift, linger, or even seem inconsistent. That’s normal.

Trust the Process—and Your Body

Pain is complex. But your body is incredibly intelligent and capable of healing.

So if you’re not getting instant relief, don’t lose hope. Stay consistent with your treatment plan, give your brain and body time to sync up, and trust that real progress is happening beneath the surface.

We're here to guide you through every step—because true recovery isn’t just about chasing symptoms. It’s about treating the root cause and helping your body move forward, for good.