Why Rest Isn’t Always the Best Medicine for Injuries
We’ve all heard it before:
"Just rest and it’ll get better."
Sounds reasonable, right? If something hurts, stop using it. Problem solved.
Not exactly.
While a little rest can help in the very beginning, too much rest can slow your healing—and sometimes make things worse.
When Rest is the Right Move
There are times when rest is absolutely necessary—like if you’ve had a fracture, a severe tear, or a fresh injury that needs protection for the first couple of days.
In those cases, letting things calm down is the smart move.
But here’s the thing… that’s a very small percentage of injuries.
For most muscle, joint, and back problems, you’re better off getting gently moving sooner rather than later.
The Problem With Too Much Rest
When you stop moving for too long, your body starts to work against you:
Muscles get weaker – making the injured area less supported.
Joints get stiff – which can lead to more pain.
Blood flow slows down – meaning fewer healing nutrients reach the injury.
Movement confidence drops – making you hesitant (or even afraid) to get back to activity.
This is why so many people feel “better” after resting… but as soon as they return to normal activity, the pain comes right back.
Why Movement Helps You Heal
The research is clear: controlled, pain-free movement is one of the best ways to recover from most injuries.
Moving the right way:
Increases blood flow for faster healing.
Prevents stiffness from setting in.
Retrains your body to move without pain.
Builds confidence so you stop guarding the injury.
It’s not about “pushing through” pain—it’s about finding the right type and amount of movement for where you are right now.
How We Approach It
At Momentum Spine and Sport, we skip the “rest and hope” approach.
Instead, we:
Pinpoint what’s really causing your pain.
Give you targeted exercises to restore strength and stability.
Teach you how to move safely so you can get back to the activities you love—without fear of re-injury.
The Bottom Line
Yes—sometimes rest is the right move.
But for most injuries, movement (done right) is the medicine your body needs.
If you’ve been stuck waiting for pain to go away and it keeps coming back, you probably need a better plan.
💬 Let’s find the movements that will actually help you heal.
Click the link at the top of the page to schedule your free discovery session and start moving toward feeling your best.
