Blog post #7: Why Chronic Injuries Persist—and How The MVMT Lab Breaks the Cycle

As a performance physical therapist and former NCAA swimmer, I’ve seen firsthand how chronic pain—especially in the lower back, neck, and shoulders— can derail not just athletic performance, but also daily life. Many clients come to The MVMT Lab after months or even years of recurring pain, frustrated by short-term fixes that don’t last.

The problem? Traditional physical therapy often focuses on managing symptoms, not solving the root cause. At The MVMT Lab, we believe that lasting recovery requires a full-picture approach—one that examines everything from movement patterns to blood chemistry. In this post, I’ll break down why chronic pain often lingers and how we help clients finally get real, sustainable results.

The Real Reasons Chronic Pain Doesn’t Go Away

Chronic injuries rarely come from a single traumatic event. More often, they develop over time from a combination of poor movement mechanics, stress, inflammation, and lifestyle imbalances.

Let’s take lower back pain as an example. A 2023 study published in BMJ Open found that reducing daily sitting time by just 40 minutes led to a measurable reduction in lower back pain over six months (Shiri et al., 2023). That’s not surprising—sedentary habits, weak core muscles, and restricted hip mobility all place excessive strain on the lumbar spine.

Similarly, neck and shoulder pain often stems from “upper crossed syndrome”—a postural pattern involving tight upper traps and pectorals with weak deep neck flexors and lower scapular stabilizers (Page et al., 2010). This pattern is common among desk workers and athletes who train without sufficient mobility or recovery work.

What’s more, chronic musculoskeletal pain is often maintained or amplified by systemic factors like poor sleep, elevated cortisol, chronic inflammation, and even nutrient deficiencies. A growing body of research shows that people with poor sleep quality are more likely to experience increased pain sensitivity and slower recovery (Finan et al., 2013).

Click here to learn more about the real reason chronic pain doesn’t go away.

Why Traditional Physical Therapy Often Misses the Mark

Don’t get me wrong—traditional PT can be incredibly effective in acute recovery and post-surgical rehab. But when it comes to persistent pain, the standard model often falls short.

Most clinics focus heavily on modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or soft tissue release. These tools can offer short-term relief— but they don’t rewire movement patterns, address systemic inflammation, or optimize recovery capacity. Too often, patients cycle through passive treatments without building the strength or awareness needed for lasting change.

Even worse, many traditional approaches fail to address the individual behind the pain. Chronic pain is rarely just a “tissue” issue—it’s a systemic one. The Journal of Physiotherapy published findings showing that a patient’s beliefs, stress, sleep, and emotional health can all contribute to persistent pain (O’Sullivan et al., 2018). Yet these elements are rarely explored in a 15-minute insurance-driven PT session.

Follow this link to learn more about how traditional physical therapy often misses the mark.

How The MVMT Lab Is Different

At The MVMT Lab, we’ve built our entire model around solving the root cause— not just chasing symptoms. We use a performance-based, whole-person approach that blends cutting-edge rehab with lifestyle science.

1. Comprehensive Movement Assessments

We begin with an in-depth evaluation that includes joint-by-joint mobility testing, strength assessments, gait analysis, and movement screens such as the SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment). This allows us to identify dysfunctional patterns that might not show up on an MRI but are major drivers of pain.

2. Strength-Based Rehab

Our rehab isn’t about “activation” exercises with a band forever—it’s about progression. Once foundational control is established, we load it. Strength and neuromuscular control are essential for long-term joint health. In fact, resistance training has been shown to reduce chronic pain symptoms by 30–60% in multiple studies (Steele et al., 2017).

3. Functional Lab Testing

When appropriate, we go beyond the surface and recommend functional blood testing to look at markers like inflammation (hsCRP), nutrient deficiencies (Vitamin D, magnesium), hormone levels (cortisol, testosterone), and metabolic function. A 2022 study in Pain Medicine linked elevated inflammatory markers with increased chronic musculoskeletal pain intensity and duration (Yong et al., 2022).

4. Nutrition, Sleep, and Recovery Coaching

You can’t out-exercise a broken recovery system. We guide clients through optimizing sleep hygiene, stress management, hydration, and anti-inflammatory eating patterns. Sleep deprivation alone has been shown to increase musculoskeletal pain and slow healing rates (Haack et al., 2007).

5. Individualized Progressions

No cookie-cutter protocols here. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a national-level competitor, we build a program that fits your goals, lifestyle, and readiness level. Recovery is not just about “getting back”—it’s about getting better than before.

Why This Works

When we combine strength training, mobility restoration, blood chemistry analysis, and lifestyle factors, we give your body what it actually needs to heal— not just survive, but thrive.

This integrative approach is supported by the biopsychosocial model of pain, which recognizes that physical pain is influenced by a blend of biological, psychological, and social factors (Linton & Shaw, 2011). By addressing all of these factors—movement, mindset, nutrition, and recovery—we help people experience real, lasting change.

Real People. Real Outcomes.

We’ve helped hundreds of clients—from CrossFit athletes to new moms—overcome years of nagging pain through this comprehensive model. One former client came to us with persistent shoulder pain after three cortisone injections and 12 weeks of traditional PT. After four weeks of strength and scapular control training, plus sleep tracking and blood testing to address low Vitamin D and iron, her pain was completely resolved.

Let’s Rewrite Your Recovery Story

If you’re stuck in a cycle of recurring pain and “temporary relief,” it’s time to take a new approach. At The MVMT Lab, we’re not just here to make pain go away—we’re here to help you move better, feel stronger, and live with confidence again.

References

• Shiri, R., et al. (2023). BMJ Open, 13(1): e067912.

• Page, P., Frank, C., & Lardner, R. (2010). Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to shoulder pain. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 5(4), 341–351.

• Finan, P.H., Goodin, B.R., & Smith, M.T. (2013). The association of sleep and pain: An update and a path forward. Journal of Pain, 14(12), 1539–1552.

• O’Sullivan, P.B., Caneiro, J.P., et al. (2018). Back to basics: 10 facts every person should know about back pain. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(12), 698–699.

• Steele, J., et al. (2017). Resistance training and the reduction of chronic pain. Sports Medicine, 47(1), 1–11.

• Yong, R.J., et al. (2022). Inflammatory biomarkers in chronic pain. Pain Medicine, 23(3), 437–447.

• Haack, M., et al. (2007). Sleep and pain: A chicken and egg relationship. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 11(6), 433–444.

• Linton, S.J., & Shaw, W.S. (2011). The biopsychosocial model of pain and contemporary medical care. Journal of Pain, 12(6), 707–712.