Why Does My Pain Move Around?

By Dr. Andrew Kakishita, DC

A Question I Hear All the Time

A lot of people come in saying something like, “The pain keeps moving. First it was here, now it’s over there.”

This can feel confusing and sometimes scary. People often worry that something new is going wrong.

Why Pain Is Not Always Fixed in One Spot

Pain is not just a signal from one tissue. It is an output from the nervous system.

Muscles, joints, and nerves all share pathways. When one area is irritated or guarded, nearby areas can start to take on more stress. As one spot calms down, another may speak up.

This does not mean the problem is spreading. It often means the body is adapting.

How Compensation Plays a Role

When something hurts, the body naturally tries to protect it.

That protection can change how you move without you realizing it. Over time, those changes can shift stress to other areas. This is one reason pain may feel like it is moving around.

It is common with back pain, neck pain, foot pain, and shoulder pain.

Why This Is Often Reassuring

Pain that moves around is often a sign that tissues are sensitive, not damaged.

If pain were coming from a serious structural issue, it would usually be more constant and predictable. Moving pain often reflects changes in load, movement, or sensitivity.

How Care Is Approached

When pain moves around, care focuses on improving overall movement and tolerance.

This includes addressing how different areas work together rather than chasing one spot at a time. In some cases, tools like shockwave therapy can help calm irritated tissue and improve load tolerance. Research supports its use in chronic pain conditions where sensitivity has lingered.

Why This Matters

Pain moving around does not mean things are getting worse.

It often means the system is changing. With the right approach, this type of pain usually becomes more stable and easier to manage over time.