Why do I still hurt if my injury has already healed?
A clinically reviewed look at why pain can outlast an injury — and why that doesn't mean you're imagining it.
Medically reviewed by D.C Matt · Lead Director
Last reviewed 1 July 2026
- Pain can persist after healing because the nervous system stays sensitised.
- This is called central sensitisation — the 'volume' on pain signals is turned up.
- It's real, not imagined — and it can often be improved with the right approach.
Is it normal to still hurt after healing?
It's more common than people realise — and it's a real physiological phenomenon, not imagination.
Accredited sources are clear that pain can continue long after the original injury has healed. Persistent pain after fractures, surgery, accidents or strains can result from changes in the nervous system, rather than ongoing tissue damage. Being told your scan is normal doesn't mean the pain isn't real.
What is central sensitisation?
Central sensitisation is when your nervous system becomes over-protective and amplifies pain signals — turning up the volume so that normal sensations can feel painful.
After a barrage of pain signals over time, the spinal cord and brain can become hyperexcitable. Research shows this heightened state can be maintained with or without continued input from the injured area — meaning pain can persist even once the tissue has recovered. It's a key driver of many chronic pain conditions.
The Postura approach
At Postura Wellness, care for persistent pain is built around OrthoRestore™ — our signature method that combines chiropractic and physiotherapy into one coordinated plan. Depending on your assessment, it can bring together chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, muscle manipulation, Active Release Technique, and targeted exercises, supported where helpful by technology such as shockwave therapy and bioelectric therapy. The aim is to relieve symptoms while addressing the underlying causes, with a plan tailored to you.
What else can cause lingering pain?
Besides a sensitised nervous system, factors like scar tissue, altered movement patterns, deconditioning and nerve changes can play a part.
- Scar tissue heals strong but isn't identical to the original tissue and can stay sensitive.
- Muscles weaken and movement patterns change while you're protecting an area, which can keep pain going.
- Nerves that were stretched or compressed can keep sending signals as they recover.
- Stress, poor sleep and low mood can all lower your pain threshold.
What can help pain that persists after healing?
The shift in modern care is from 'fixing' tissue to retraining the nervous system — usually through graded movement, rebuilding confidence and addressing the whole picture.
Because the problem is often a sensitive system rather than damage, treatment focuses on gradually and safely increasing movement, rebuilding strength and reducing the system's reactivity. Education, good sleep, stress management and a steady return to activity all help. A clinician can assess what's driving your pain and build a plan.
When to get reassessed
See a clinician if pain suddenly worsens, changes in character, or comes with new numbness, weakness, unexplained weight loss or fever — these warrant a fresh assessment rather than assuming it's the same old problem.
Sciatica FAQs
Does a normal scan mean my pain isn't real?
No. Pain doesn't always show up on a scan, and a sensitised nervous system can produce very real pain without visible damage. Normal imaging is often reassuring news, not a dismissal of your experience.
Will this pain last forever?
Not necessarily. A sensitised nervous system can often be gradually calmed and retrained. Many people improve significantly with a consistent, active approach, though it can take time.
Should I rest until it stops hurting?
Usually not. Prolonged rest tends to make things worse by weakening muscles and keeping the system protective. Gradual, guided movement is more effective for most persistent pain.
Is it all in my head?
No. The pain is generated by real changes in your nervous system. Psychological factors can influence it, but that's very different from it being imagined — and it's treatable.
This guide is informed by patient information from accredited medical institutions:
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