In osteopathy, you may hear the advice not to “follow the pain.” At first, that can sound odd. If something hurts, shouldn’t you focus on the painful area? The answer is a little more nuanced. Pain is important. It gives you information. But in osteopathy, pain is usually seen as a signal, not the whole story. The area that hurts is not always the true source of the problem, and treating only where it hurts may miss the bigger picture. What “Don’t Follow the Pain” Really Means When osteopaths say not to follow the pain, they usually mean not to assume the painful spot is the only thing that matters. Pain can be influenced by movement patterns, posture, muscle tension, joint stiffness, stress, compensation, or even old injuries. For example, a sore lower back might be linked to tight hips, poor core control, or restricted movement elsewhere. A painful shoulder […]