Just strengthen your quads and hamstrings." If you have ever gone to an ortho or PT for knee pain, you have probably heard this advice. But does it actually make sense?

In this episode, We discuss why "getting stronger" is often a lazy and ineffective strategy for resolving pain. Inspired by a recent editorial by Jared Powell titled "It is not all about strength," the hosts break down why pain is rarely about muscle size and almost always about position.

They explore the difference between "Hardware" (structural damage) and "Software" (movement patterns), why MRI findings are often misleading, and why surgery should be the last resort—not the first option. Whether you are a college athlete or an "industrial athlete," this episode will challenge the way you think about rehab.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The Strength Myth: Why "get stronger" fails active people who are already squatting heavy but still have pain.
• Position Over Power: Why pain relief often comes from changing how you move, not how much you lift.
• Hardware vs. Software: Why you can fix a "Hardware" problem (surgery) but still have pain if you don't fix the "Software" (movement patterns).
• The "Industrial Athlete": Why factory workers and tradesmen need to view their bodies like elite athletes to avoid injury.
• Surgery Reality Check: Why getting surgery doesn't guarantee a fix, and why you should exhaust your conservative options first.
• Return to Sport: Why athletes often "cram" for preseason and end up injured, and the realistic timelines for tissue healing.

Resources Mentioned:

• Editorial: "It is not all about strength: Rethinking mechanistic assumptions in exercise-based rehabilitation for musculoskeletal pain relief" by Jared Powell.
• Concepts: Hardware vs. Software in Injury Rehab.

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Disclaimer: Although we are healthcare providers, we are not YOUR healthcare provider. Content is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician before making lifestyle changes.

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If you have general questions about pain you're experiencing send us a DM on instagram or email at [email protected]

Michael Stant has also launched a weekly blog, Well-Informed. If interested in following. You can subscribe to the following link: https://wellinformed24.substack.com/