Joint pain, Active Approach, Not Passive Anymore!

Active physio in Phnom Penh

1. Joint Pain Management Has Changed

Joint pain management has evolved significantly in recent years. Twenty years ago, treatment was primarily passive—relying on painkillers to dull symptoms without addressing the joint structures actually causing the issue. Today, research has led us through a paradigm shift: a fundamental reassessment of how we understand and manage joint pain.

2. Where Does This Change Come From?

The key lies in understanding how the nervous system reacts. When movement is avoided, the nervous system becomes hypersensitive. Regardless of whether the root issue is muscular, ligamentous, or articular, remember this: the only structure that actually produces pain is the nerve. And nerves become more sensitive in the absence of movement.

3. Why Active Treatment Works Better

Active treatment reduces fear of movement and restores natural tissue mobility. When you move, you gently mobilize muscles, ligaments, joint capsules, and cartilage. This helps desensitize nearby nerves, reducing the flow of pain-related neurotransmitters sent to the brain. Simply put, movement helps calm the nervous system.

4. How Do We Know This Is the Right Method?

Scientific evidence continues to grow. For example, research on ankle sprains compiles data from hundreds of studies to draw strong conclusions. By 2025, the consensus is clear: active management is more effective than passive treatment in most musculoskeletal conditions.

5. Public Beliefs Are Still Catching Up

It can take up to 15 years for scientific knowledge to reach everyday medical practice. That’s one of the major challenges in managing joint pain. Many patients still expect passive solutions because that’s what they’ve always known—either through cultural habits or outdated education about joint pain.

6. Why Consult a Physio?

Physiotherapists specialize in joint conditions. A physio can assess whether your pain is acute and inflammatory—meaning your tissue is healing and needs some protection—or chronic, where the tissue is already healed but pain persists due to nervous system sensitization. In the chronic stage, active movement is not only safe but essential.

Need help with joint pain?

Whether you’re in an acute phase or struggling with chronic symptoms, I can help. Based in BKK1, Phnom Penh, I’m a physiotherapist and osteopath with 20 years of clinical experience. Don’t hesitate to reach out.