Live Healthy Louisville

You Are Not Your Diagnosis: Rethinking Pain with Dr. Ally Harper


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Pain is real—but it’s not always a reliable report of “damage.” In this episode of Live Healthy Louisville, Coach Scott, Coach Ryan, and Dr. Ally Harper unpack how pain is often misunderstood and mismanaged. We break down where pain actually comes from (hello, nervous system), why labels can limit healing, and how a holistic, joint-friendly approach helps people move better, feel safer, and get their lives back.


You’ll learn a simple framework to navigate flare-ups without spiraling, how strength training and graded exposure calm the alarm system, and why sleep, stress, and nutrition change pain sensitivity as much as any pill. If you’ve ever been told to “just rest” or felt stuck in your diagnosis, this conversation will give you language, confidence, and next steps.


Key takeaways

  • Pain = a protective signal, not your identity.

  • The biopsychosocial lens: tissue, thoughts, and context all matter.

  • “What gets measured gets managed”: track sleep, steps, protein, and strength—watch pain behavior change.

  • Graded exposure beats avoidance: move well → move more → move heavier.

  • Build a support team: PT + coaching + lifestyle basics.

Subscribe, share with a friend who’s in pain, and tag @resultsbydesignfitness and @livehealthylouisville with your biggest takeaway.

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Live Healthy LouisvilleBy Live Healthy Louisville: Coach Ryan