"You Can’t Prevent Pain, But It Can Be Managed" (Dr. Danny Miller)

In demanding working environments - whether in finance, law, consulting, tech, healthcare, or beyond - long hours, sustained focus, and competing responsibilities can take a toll. Discomfort, especially in the neck, back or shoulders, often builds gradually, even when there’s a commitment to staying active and seeking support. Many people invest in their wellbeing. They stay active, follow structured training routines, and seek advice from professionals. Yet pain can still show up, bringing feelings of frustration or uncertainty. This doesn’t mean something has gone wrong. Pain is often framed as something that can be avoided entirely. While prevention applies to many health concerns, pain behaves differently. It’s part of the human condition.

The myth of prevention

Conventional advice often focuses on posture, activation of the "right" muscles, and avoiding prolonged sitting or "incorrect" movements. These have their place, but pain isn’t simply about physical strain. Pain is meaningful. It arises not only from the body, but from the context in which sensations are experienced - workload, emotional state, environment, previous injuries, and perceived expectations. It’s not a signal of failure, but a sign that the body is responding to something it interprets as important.

When control turns into tension

Striving to eliminate every risk of pain can lead to hyper-awareness and reduced confidence in movement. Some begin avoiding certain activities, others increase training intensity rigidly, and some feel discouraged when discomfort persists despite structured routines. These patterns can reinforce uncertainty and increase difficulty interpreting bodily cues clearly.

Rethinking the goal

Rather than aiming to eliminate pain completely, a more sustainable approach may be to develop greater capacity to work with it. This could involve:

• Understanding how pain arises in real-world contexts

• Rebuilding trust in movement

• Responding to discomfort without fear

• Developing awareness and adaptability, rather than control alone

  
  

This isn’t about ignoring pain, it’s about listening differently.

An integrative approach

At Pure Sports Medicine in Moorgate, support is available for individuals navigating the complexity of persistent or recurring pain. As an osteopath informed by health psychology, I work with people seeking to understand their pain, rebuild confidence in movement, and shift from frustration to clarity. For many, it’s not about more treatment, but a new way of engaging with the body.

Final thought

Pain may not be entirely preventable, but it can be managed. With the right support, it’s possible to return to meaningful activity - whether in the gym, at work, or in everyday life - with greater ease and confidence.

Appointments with Dr. Danny Miller are available at Pure Sports Medicine, Moorgate, on Tuesdays (08:00–14:00) and Thursdays (14:00–19:00). Click here to book or learn more