Why Rest Isn’t Always Best

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

When something hurts, our first instinct is usually to stop moving and rest. Sometimes that’s exactly what your body needs. But often, too much rest can actually slow your recovery and make it harder to get back to normal.

At Kinetic Chiropractic in Lehi, I often tell patients that rest should be part of the plan but not the whole plan. The key is finding the right balance between movement and recovery.

Why Too Much Rest Can Backfire

Your body is designed to move. When you stop moving completely, your muscles weaken, your joints stiffen, and your circulation slows down. This can make pain last longer and make your body feel older than it really is.

Think about what happens after wearing a cast. The muscles around that area shrink because they aren’t being used. The same idea applies when you “baby” an injury for too long. Your body starts to lose strength and stability.

Movement Heals

Gentle, guided movement is one of the best things you can do after an injury. It improves blood flow, reduces stiffness, and tells your body how to move correctly again. That’s why we often pair chiropractic care with simple mobility exercises or stretches.

These movements don’t have to be intense. Even walking, doing light bodyweight exercises, or stretching can help your body heal more effectively than lying on the couch.

How Chiropractic and Shockwave Therapy Help

When your body is in pain, it’s easy to avoid movement because it hurts. That’s where treatments like chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and shockwave therapy come in. They can help reduce pain enough for you to move again safely.

Many people search for “Shockwave Therapy” when they’re dealing with stubborn pain that hasn’t improved with rest. Shockwave therapy uses sound waves to break up scar tissue, increase circulation, and restart the healing process, especially for old or chronic injuries.

Combining movement with care like Shockwave Therapy Lehi gives your body the tools it needs to rebuild strength and function without overdoing it.

When Rest Is Helpful

There are times when rest really is the right choice like right after a new injury or surgery. But even then, the goal is to return to gentle motion as soon as it’s safe. Total rest should be a short-term strategy, not a long-term solution.

The Takeaway

Rest isn’t the enemy, but it’s also not the cure. Your body needs movement to heal, rebuild, and stay strong. At Kinetic Chiropractic in Lehi, we help patients find that balance using chiropractic care, shockwave therapy, and customized movement plans to get them back on track.

If you’ve been resting for weeks and still don’t feel better, it might be time to rethink your recovery plan.