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Pain can make smart people do weird things: avoid a squat they used to own, chase random mobility drills, or assume an MRI finding is the whole story. We want to cut through that noise with a coaching-first, pain science grounded framework that actually helps clients move again. We start with the biopsychosocial model of pain and why the way we show up matters, from being on time and setting expectations to letting a client finish their story without getting interrupted. That “front end” changes threat, trust, and outcomes more than most trainers realize.
From there we dig into how pain works, including the evolution from a purely biomedical model to gate control theory, and why pain intensity doesn’t always match tissue damage. We talk about nervous system sensitivity, central amplification, and how stress and context can turn the volume knob up. Along the way, we share practical language shifts like using “discomfort” and avoiding scary labels that can lock a client into fear-based movement.
We also walk through a knee pain case and the step-by-step process: check low-hanging fruit like terminal knee extension, use soft tissue mobilization strategically to calm guarding, then lock in the win with 60-second isometrics, exposure therapy, and progressive overload. We close with what professionalism actually looks like in the fitness industry, why anatomy matters, and how to stay in scope by knowing when to refer out to a physical therapist or doctor.
Subscribe for more conversations on pain science, soft tissue work, rehab-informed strength training, and coaching skills, then share this with a trainer who needs it and leave a review. What’s the biggest pain myth you want us to tackle next?
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Website: https://www.showupfitness.com/
Become a Successful Personal Trainer Book Vol. 2 (Amazon): https://a.co/d/1aoRnqA
NASM / ACE / ISSA study guide: https://www.showupfitness.com
