What Happens After the Pain Goes Away?

Why Continuing Chiropractic Care After Pain Subsides Is Crucial for Long-Term Recovery

Back pain can be intense, frustrating, and limiting—but for most people, the goal is simple: get rid of the pain, fast. And while pain relief is important, it’s really just the first phase of a proper recovery.

Here’s what most people don’t realise: Just because the pain has gone doesn’t mean the problem is fixed. In fact, it’s usually not. Pain is the warning light—but turning off the light doesn’t mean the engine is running smoothly again.

What’s Still Going On After the Pain Stops?

When pain subsides, it often means inflammation has settled or the body has compensated—but not that the original cause of the problem is gone. The joint or muscle involved may still have poor movement, reduced strength, and limited stability.

Especially in more chronic cases, the area is often weaker than before, due to disuse, guarding, or altered movement patterns caused by the pain itself. That’s why people often say, “It felt better for a bit… then it came back.”

The “Post-Pain Phase” = The Real Work Begins

This phase is all about restoring function.

• Improving mobility in stiff joints or restricted muscles

• Retraining the stability of the spine and surrounding structures

• Building back strength and proper movement control

• Preventing relapse or compensatory injuries elsewhere

This takes time—often weeks to months, depending on how long the problem had been brewing.

What Does Ongoing Care Look Like?

Here’s a rough outline of what a post-pain care plan might look like:

🗓️ Chiropractic Adjustments / Functional Rehab

• Fortnightly or every 3 weeks to monitor progress, support function, and reinforce the rehab process

• Tapering down to monthly or maintenance care once stability and strength return

  
  

💪 Rehab Exercises

• Begin basic mobility and stability exercises within 1–2 weeks post-pain

• Progress to more targeted strength and movement control by weeks 4–8

• Functional and load-bearing training over 8–12 weeks (and beyond, if needed)

  
  

Remember: healing isn’t a straight line. People who commit to this phase are the ones who typically get the best, longest-lasting results—and reduce their chances of the pain coming back.

If your pain has recently gone—or you're feeling “mostly better”—now’s the perfect time to invest in function. That’s what sets you up for a stronger, more resilient back that supports you long term.

📍 Performance Chiropractic - We’re here to guide you every step of the way—from pain relief to full recovery.