Pain Patterns: Why Relief in One Spot Can Sometimes Mean Pain in Another

By Dr. Andrew Kakishita | Kinetic Chiropractic – Lehi, UT

Have you ever noticed that when one area of pain finally starts to feel better, a new ache shows up somewhere else? You might think something is wrong or that your pain is “moving,” but this is actually a normal part of how the body heals and adapts.

At Kinetic Chiropractic in Lehi, we see this pattern all the time. Patients come in saying, “My shoulder feels better, but now my neck or upper back hurts.” Or, “My hip pain is gone, but now my knee is acting up.” While it might sound frustrating, this is often a good sign that your body is changing and redistributing stress as it returns to normal movement.

Why Pain Moves Around

Pain is the body’s alarm system. It tells you something is overloaded, tight, or not working efficiently. But when one area finally starts to move better after treatment, the stress can shift to the next weakest link.

For example, if your hip has been stiff for months, your lower back might have been working overtime to make up for it. Once we improve hip motion through chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and exercises, your back no longer has to compensate. However, those overworked back muscles may start to feel sore as they “unlearn” their old habits.

This isn’t your pain coming back. It’s your body redistributing effort as it learns a healthier way to move.

How Chiropractic and Rehab Help the Process

As a chiropractor in Lehi, I help guide that process so your body doesn’t overcompensate in new areas. Chiropractic care restores motion in restricted joints, while targeted rehab exercises strengthen and stabilize the muscles that support them.

We also use tools like shockwave therapy to speed up healing in areas that have been tight or overused for a long time. By improving blood flow and reducing tension, shockwave therapy helps muscles and tendons recover faster so your body can adapt without as much soreness.

Many patients who search for “Shockwave Therapy near me” are dealing with pain that lingers or shifts around the body. The combination of shockwave therapy, movement-based rehab, and chiropractic adjustments can help break that cycle and keep your recovery moving forward.

Understanding the Bigger Picture

Think of your body as one connected system, not a bunch of separate parts. Every time one joint or muscle improves, another one might need time to catch up. It’s like tuning a guitar. Tightening one string can make others go slightly out of tune until you balance them all again.

That’s why recovery often takes a few steps. As each area regains proper motion and strength, your body becomes more stable and efficient. With time, those shifting aches fade as your movement patterns even out.

When to Be Concerned

There’s a difference between a mild ache as your body adapts and sharp or worsening pain. If something feels off or new pain lasts more than a few days, it’s worth getting checked out. At Kinetic Chiropractic, we reassess movement regularly to make sure the pain you’re feeling is part of normal progress, not a new issue that needs care.

The Takeaway

Healing isn’t always a straight line. Pain can shift as your body relearns how to move the right way. Instead of chasing the new sore spot, we focus on finding what’s causing your body to adapt in the first place.

If you’ve been dealing with pain that moves around or keeps coming back, schedule a visit at Kinetic Chiropractic in Lehi. Whether you need a chiropractor near me or want to explore Shockwave Therapy Lehi, we’ll help you understand what’s happening and guide your body toward lasting relief.