“No pain, no gain” is a phrase most of us have heard in gyms, sports, and fitness circles. The idea is simple: If your muscles ache, you must be making progress. However, pain isn’t always proof of improvement. Sometimes, it’s just your body adapting to new demands. Other times, it’s your body warning you to slow down. The challenge is knowing which kind of pain you’re feeling.
“It’s rarely a true ‘no pain, no gain’ situation,” Zach Smith, a doctor of physical therapy and founder of HIDEF Physical Therapy, told The Epoch Times. “Pain is like a smoke detector—it doesn’t always mean there’s a fire, but it does mean there could be one, and it deserves attention.”
