Have you ever gone to a doctor and been told "ease back into it" once the pain is under control? What does that even mean? Is that 50% of what you used to do? 10%?
One of the first questions asked in my exam will be "what is your pain preventing you from doing?" The answer to that question will give us our direction and determine the treatment plan. The first priority is, of course, to reduce that pain, but what comes after that is just as important.
Having no pain is just the status quo. It's great that you can now put your socks on without pain, but how do you know you're ready to go for a run, deadlift, or do a pull up? This is where functional goals come in. Less pain doesn't necessarily mean your rehab is complete. If you're a runner, crossfitter, or cyclist, you're probaby not ready to pick up where you left off before the injury. We live in a world where health insurance companies decide when your treatment is over, not the doctors. Because of that, many people get stuck in this limbo of feeling good, overdoing it, and then reaggravating their injury. I won't get on my soap box to talk about health insurance right now, but the main point is that patients are left to "ease back into it" on their own. Isn't that what health professionals are for?
The bigger problem with this is that many people start to think that maybe they can't do the things they used to. This is a fail on the part of the medical industry. A system that is truly patient centered shouldn't be satisfied with getting you halfway there. To think that there are people that know they should exercise, but avoid it because they think they can't is extremely frustrating.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, we need to talk. We'll come up with a plan to get you back to where you were, safely.
