Is Pushing Through Pain Good? What Your Body's Really Telling You
The difference between discomfort and real pain
"Good" pain vs. "bad" pain — they're not the same
Let’s get this straight: not all pain is created equal. A bit of muscle soreness after a workout? That’s delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and yeah, it's uncomfortable but usually harmless.
But sharp, stabbing, or persistent pain? That's your body's emergency signal, not a motivational quote. There's a huge difference between “feeling the burn” and feeling like your knee’s about to give out, right?
Back in college, I kept running through heel pain — thought I was being tough. Turns out it was the early stage of plantar fasciitis. Took months to heal. Lesson learned (the hard way).
When pushing through pain can actually help
Building mental resilience
Sometimes, pushing through a bit of mental resistance or mild physical discomfort can toughen you up. Think cold showers, long hikes, that extra rep at the gym. These moments can build mental grit. Athletes often call it “embracing the suck.”
In rehab, a little push is necessary
With injuries (under medical supervision), some discomfort is normal and needed to regain mobility. Physios often say: "Don't avoid all pain — but listen to what kind it is."
The key phrase? Controlled effort, not reckless ignoring.
When pushing through pain is a terrible idea
Pain = potential damage
Let’s say you’re doing squats and suddenly feel a pinch in your lower back. Should you push through it? Hell no. That’s your cue to stop, reassess form, and maybe even rest a bit.
In sports and fitness, ignoring sharp pain can lead to:
Ligament tears
Tendonitis
Stress fractures
Long-term joint issues
Not exactly badges of honor, right?
Chronic pain? Definitely not something to "tough out"
If pain lasts more than a few days or keeps coming back, pushing through can worsen the underlying issue. Chronic pain isn’t just physical — it messes with your sleep, mood, even memory. And masking it with ibuprofen and “willpower”? That’s not brave, that’s risky.
How to know when it's okay to keep going
Quick checklist:
Type of pain: dull/muscular = maybe, sharp/joint = nope
Duration: pain that eases after warming up = okay; pain that gets worse as you move = red flag
Swelling or bruising = stop
Loss of function (can’t lift, turn, or stand properly) = definitely stop
Listen, your body whispers before it screams. If you don’t listen to the whispers, the screams are gonna suck.
What to do instead of pushing through blindly
Rest, recovery, and smart movement
Sometimes rest is the best training tool. Other times, switching activities (from running to swimming, for example) can keep you active without aggravating the issue.
You don’t have to sit still. But you do have to be smart.
Also — if you can — get checked. A physio or sports therapist can tell you in 10 minutes if it's something to train through or not.
Final word: grit is good, but wisdom is better
Sure, we admire the athletes who “push through the pain.” But most of us aren’t being paid millions to wreck our bodies for glory.
Sometimes, backing off is the real act of strength. And healing properly lets you come back stronger. So no, pushing through pain isn’t always good — and sometimes, it’s the worst thing you can do.
Train hard. But train smart.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.