You’ve just finished your physiotherapy session feeling optimistic, but hours later you notice something unexpected: you’re experiencing more discomfort than when you walked into the clinic. Your first thought might be “Have I been injured further?” or “Did something go wrong?”

This experience can be concerning, but we want to reassure you—post-treatment soreness is not only normal, it’s often a sign that your body is responding to treatment and beginning the healing process.

Why Post-Treatment Soreness Happens

Your body is incredibly complex, and so is pain. When we work with injured or dysfunctional tissues during treatment, we’re asking your body to begin healing that it may have been avoiding. If you’ve been protecting an injured area for weeks, those tissues have adapted to being underused. When we restore normal movement through manual therapy or exercise, we’re reintroducing demands those tissues haven’t experienced recently.

The Healing Response

Sometimes, to promote healing, we need to create controlled irritation to affected structures. This stimulates biological processes that drive recovery:

Increased Blood Flow: Treatment promotes circulation to injured areas, bringing nutrients and oxygen while removing waste products. This increased activity can temporarily heighten your awareness of the area.

Tissue Remodelling: Mobilizing stiff joints or stretching tight tissues encourages adaptation. This process involves changes that can initially feel uncomfortable as your body adjusts.

Nervous System Response: Your nervous system has been protecting the injured area, creating heightened sensitivity. As we restore normal function, it needs time to recognize that movement is safe again.

Muscle Activation: We often target muscles that haven’t been working properly. Like returning to the gym after time off, asking these muscles to work again can create soreness.

Pain Doesn’t Always Equal Damage

Increased soreness after treatment doesn’t necessarily mean increased tissue damage. Pain is your body’s alarm system, but like any alarm, it can be oversensitive. Your nervous system processes pain based on many factors—stress levels, sleep quality, previous experiences, and expectations. After treatment, it may temporarily increase vigilance as it processes changes happening in your body.

What to Expect

Post-treatment soreness typically follows predictable patterns:

Timing: Soreness usually appears within 2-24 hours after treatment and peaks within the first 48 hours.

Nature: The discomfort is often described as an ache, stiffness, or general soreness rather than sharp or severe pain.

Duration: Most post-treatment soreness resolves within 24-72 hours as your body adapts to the treatment.

Response to Movement: Unlike injury pain, post-treatment soreness often improves with gentle movement and worsens with prolonged rest.

When to Be Concerned

While post-treatment soreness is normal, there are some signs that warrant contact with your physiotherapist:

  • Severe pain that’s significantly worse than your original symptoms
  • Symptoms that continue to worsen after 48-72 hours
  • New numbness, tingling, or weakness
  • Signs of inflammation like significant swelling, redness, or heat
  • Any symptoms that cause you genuine concern

Managing Post-Treatment Soreness

Stay Gently Active: Light movement often helps more than complete rest. Think gentle walks or continuing prescribed exercises.

Apply Heat or Cold: Use whichever feels better. Heat helps with stiffness, while cold may help with swelling.

Stay Hydrated and Rest Well: Both support the healing process and help with soreness.

Follow Your Home Program: Continue with prescribed exercises—they’re designed to support recovery.

Moving Forward

At GRIT, we understand that feeling worse before feeling better can be challenging. Post-treatment soreness often indicates that your body is beginning to adapt and heal. We encourage open communication about your post-treatment experiences—this helps us adjust future treatments to your needs.

Remember, experiencing some soreness doesn’t mean you’re fragile or that something is wrong. It often means your body is beginning to change and heal. Understanding this can help you feel more confident about your recovery journey.

If you have concerns about your post-treatment response, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to provide clarity, reassurance, and adjustments to your treatment plan as needed.