Pain is Not a Life Sentence: Why You Don’t Have to ‘Just Live With It’
Greg Goldberger • September 1, 2025
Breaking the Myth: “I’ll Always Have This Pain”
If you’ve been dealing with pain for months—or even years—you may have been told to “just live with it.” Maybe you’ve tried medications, injections, or even multiple providers without lasting results.
But here’s the truth: chronic pain is not a life sentence. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is off. And when you address the root cause rather than masking the symptoms, you open the door to long-term healing.
Why Movement Matters for Chronic Pain
One of the biggest myths about chronic pain is that you should avoid movement. In reality, the opposite is true.
- Movement restores function. Gentle, guided exercises help your joints, muscles, and nervous system relearn how to move without pain.
- Movement builds resilience. When your body gets stronger, it can better handle the demands of daily life and prevent flare-ups.
- Movement rewires pain signals. Physical activity can help your brain and body “reset,” reducing the sensitivity that keeps pain lingering.
At Movement Driven, we don’t force you into cookie-cutter exercises—we teach your body how to move better and more efficiently.
The Power of Personalized Care
Traditional healthcare often gets stuck in a cycle of quick fixes: pain pills, shots, or generic exercise sheets. The problem? None of these are designed with you in mind.
Our approach is different:
- 1-on-1 sessions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy. You’ll never be rushed through or left guessing.
- Customized treatment plans. We combine manual therapy, strength work, and movement strategies tailored to your unique pain and lifestyle.
- A bridge from recovery to performance. Whether your goal is running, golfing, or just playing with your kids, we’ll help you get there.
Lasting Chronic Pain Relief in Jacksonville
If you’ve been living with pain for far too long, it’s time for a new approach. Our patients are proof that change is possible—even after years of suffering. With the right guidance and a movement-based plan, you can feel stronger, more confident, and truly free from the weight of chronic pain.
Ready to stop “just living with it”? If you’re searching for chronic pain relief in Jacksonville, Movement Driven is here for you. Book your discovery call
today and take the first step toward lasting change.
The holiday season in St. Johns brings excitement, family traditions, and a long to do list that usually includes lifting decorations, standing for hours in the kitchen, long shopping days, and driving up and down 210. It is a joyful time, but it is also one of the most common seasons for back pain to flare up. Most of these aches come from mechanical stress on joints and tissues, not sudden injury, which is supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s research on low back pain. The good news is that holiday related irritation is preventable with simple mobility routines and better movement strategies. Here is how to keep your back protected all season long. 1. Lifting Heavy Decor Boxes Without Strain Many St. Johns residents pull heavy bins of holiday decorations from attics, garages, or closets. Poor lifting mechanics significantly increase the risk of low back pain, which is highlighted by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in their safe lifting guidelines. How to lift smarter: Keep the box close to your center of gravity. Bend at your hips and knees instead of rounding your back. Exhale and brace your core as you lift. Make multiple small trips instead of one heavy one. Mobility tip: Warm up first. Dynamic movements increase tissue elasticity and reduce mechanical irritation. 2. Prolonged Standing in the Kitchen Holiday cooking means long hours of chopping, stirring, and leaning over counters. Staying in one position too long increases stiffness and muscle fatigue. NINDS reports that sustained postures are a major contributor to mechanical low back pain. How to reduce standing fatigue: Alternate your stance by propping one foot on a small stool. Change your position every 10 to 15 minutes. Use cushioned shoes or an anti fatigue mat. Mobility tip: Add tiny movement breaks. Light lumbar rotations or marching in place prevent the stiffness that builds from continuous standing. 3. Shopping Days and Heavy Bags Holiday shopping at the St. Johns Town Center or local boutiques often leads to uneven loading from carrying bags on one side. As Spine Health notes, imbalanced loads contribute to muscle strain and low back irritation. How to shop smarter: Distribute weight evenly between both hands. Avoid carrying heavy bags on a single shoulder. Make trips to the car to unload heavier items. Mobility tip: Stretch your hip flexors afterward. Long periods of standing and walking tighten this area, which directly affects the lumbar spine. 4. Long Drives Up and Down 210 Holiday errands, family gatherings, and parties mean more time in the car. Sitting increases pressure on the lumbar discs and hip flexors. Research from NINDS notes that prolonged sitting is one of the most common triggers for mechanical low back pain. How to reduce back irritation in the car: Adjust your seat so your hips sit slightly higher than your knees. Use a small lumbar roll for support. Take breaks during longer trips to stand and walk. Mobility tip: When parked, pull one knee gently toward your chest to relieve hip and low back tension. 5. Why Simple Daily Mobility Helps Mobility does not need to be time consuming. It simply keeps your joints moving and prevents the stiffness that builds from repeated tasks. Spine Health emphasizes that consistent mobility improves circulation, reduces joint irritation, and enhances load tolerance. Three movements to keep your back happy: Hip hinges Thoracic rotations Bird dogs or dead bugs These movements support the spine during lifting, standing, cooking, carrying, and driving. When to See a Physical Therapist If holiday prep has already triggered pain that is sharp or persistent, a professional evaluation can help you identify the root cause and create a personalized plan. Movement Driven provides one on one care that focuses on restoring mobility, improving strength, and keeping you active all season. Ready to Stay Pain Free This Holiday Season? Schedule a free discovery call to talk through your symptoms and learn which mobility strategies will help you move pain free through the holidays.
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