When to push vs when to rest during recovery

Recovery often feels like a balancing act.

Do too little —>you don’t improve.

Do too much —>you flare it up.

Why this balance matters

Your body needs both:

• Rest to recover

• Movement to rebuild

The challenge is knowing when to use each.

When to push (safely):

• Pain is mild and manageable

• Movement improves symptoms

• Discomfort settles within 24 hours

This is where progress happens.

When to scale back

• Pain is sharp or worsening

• Symptoms linger or intensify

• Movement feels unstable or limited

This is when your body needs less load.

What most people get wrong

They either:

• Rest too much and lose progress, or

• Push too hard and create setbacks

A better approach

Think in terms of adjusting intensity, not stopping completely.

Even during setbacks:

• Keep light movement

• Reduce load, not activity

Stay active within your current limits and gradually expand them.

If you’re unsure when to push or rest, we can guide you with a structured plan so you recover without second-guessing every step.