{"id":61763,"date":"2026-09-27T11:00:57","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T16:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/"},"modified":"2026-09-27T11:00:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T16:00:57","slug":"when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"When the Body Anticipates Pain Before Movement: Fear, Learning, or Protection?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #000000;color:#000000\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_does_the_body_anticipate\" >Why does the body anticipate?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#What_changes_after_a_painful_experience\" >What changes after a painful experience?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Is_it_fear\" >Is it fear?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#What_does_recent_research_show\" >What does recent research show?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Does_fear_of_movement_always_reduce_activity\" >Does fear of movement always reduce activity?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_should_overly_simple_explanations_be_avoided\" >Why should overly simple explanations be avoided?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#How_can_useful_protection_be_distinguished_from_excessive_protection\" >How can useful protection be distinguished from excessive protection?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Is_anticipated_pain_imaginary\" >Is anticipated pain imaginary?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Does_the_brain_%E2%80%9Ccreate%E2%80%9D_pain_then\" >Does the brain \u201ccreate\u201d pain, then?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#What_is_pain_learning\" >What is pain learning?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Should_we_talk_about_%E2%80%9Cbody_memory%E2%80%9D\" >Should we talk about \u201cbody memory\u201d?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_do_muscles_contract_more\" >Why do muscles contract more?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Does_contraction_always_protect\" >Does contraction always protect?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_do_some_patients_move_better_when_distracted\" >Why do some patients move better when distracted?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Does_pain_during_movement_always_mean_you_should_stop\" >Does pain during movement always mean you should stop?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#What_is_graded_exposure\" >What is graded exposure?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_does_experience_matter_more_than_explanation_alone\" >Why does experience matter more than explanation alone?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Should_all_precautions_be_removed\" >Should all precautions be removed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_can_movement_variability_help\" >Why can movement variability help?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#What_is_the_osteopaths_role\" >What is the osteopath\u2019s role?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Can_touch_facilitate_a_return_to_movement\" >Can touch facilitate a return to movement?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#How_can_we_talk_to_patients_without_reinforcing_fear\" >How can we talk to patients without reinforcing fear?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_is_the_word_%E2%80%9Cprotection%E2%80%9D_useful_but_imperfect\" >Why is the word \u201cprotection\u201d useful but imperfect?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#When_is_medical_reassessment_needed\" >When is medical reassessment needed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Why_is_confidence_not_enough\" >Why is confidence not enough?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#How_can_progress_be_measured\" >How can progress be measured?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/when-the-body-anticipates-pain-before-movement-fear-learning-or-protection\/#References\" >References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>A person bends down to pick up an object and already feels apprehensive before the movement begins. Another braces the back before rising from a chair. A third has avoided for months a movement that once triggered intense pain, even though the initial injury has healed.<\/p>\n<p>This phenomenon cannot be reduced to \u201cit is all in your head.\u201d <strong>The brain and motor system use past experience to predict what might happen and prepare a response before action begins.<\/strong> This anticipation is a normal protective function. It can, however, become overly cautious.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_the_body_anticipate\"><\/span>Why does the body anticipate?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>To act effectively, the body cannot wait for an event to happen. It predicts the likely consequences of a movement and prepares the muscles, breathing, and balance. This anticipation is essential when lifting a load, walking on unstable ground, or catching an object.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_changes_after_a_painful_experience\"><\/span>What changes after a painful experience?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A movement that has previously caused significant pain can become associated with danger. When the movement is attempted again, the system may increase vigilance, slow the movement, or recruit certain muscles more strongly even before pain appears.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_fear\"><\/span>Is it fear?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Sometimes, but not always. Fear of movement, also called kinesiophobia in some contexts, describes excessive concern that movement may cause pain or a new injury. But a person can also adopt a cautious strategy without experiencing strong conscious fear.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_recent_research_show\"><\/span>What does recent research show?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A 2026 meta-analysis indicates that measures of fear related to a specific task are more strongly associated with certain spinal motor behaviors than general psychological measures. This supports asking, \u201cWhich movement worries you?\u201d rather than assuming that the person is generally anxious.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_fear_of_movement_always_reduce_activity\"><\/span>Does fear of movement always reduce activity?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Not in a simple way. A 2025 meta-analysis covering many conditions found an overall association between fear of movement and lower physical activity, but the relationship varied across populations. In groups defined only by pain, the association was not always significant.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_should_overly_simple_explanations_be_avoided\"><\/span>Why should overly simple explanations be avoided?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Avoidance can be reasonable when a tissue has recently been injured, a fracture is possible, or a movement produces a neurological deficit. Before attributing behavior to fear, it is important to establish that the movement is medically appropriate.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_useful_protection_be_distinguished_from_excessive_protection\"><\/span>How can useful protection be distinguished from excessive protection?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Useful protection normally decreases as tissues heal and capacity returns. Protection that has become excessive persists despite sufficient recovery, limits important activities, and no longer adjusts easily when the context becomes safer.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_anticipated_pain_imaginary\"><\/span>Is anticipated pain imaginary?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No. Pain is a real experience even when anticipation influences it. Expectations, context, and learning can modulate how sensory signals are processed. This does not mean that the person is inventing the pain.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_the_brain_%E2%80%9Ccreate%E2%80%9D_pain_then\"><\/span>Does the brain \u201ccreate\u201d pain, then?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>That wording can be misleading. All pain involves the nervous system, but pain may also be associated with tissue injury, inflammation, nerve irritation, or other factors. It is more useful to say that pain emerges from a protective system that integrates many kinds of information.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_pain_learning\"><\/span>What is pain learning?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When a movement is repeatedly performed in a painful context, cues associated with that movement can themselves become predictive: a position, place, load, or sensation. The system then learns to prepare earlier. This learning can change through new experiences, but it does not disappear instantly.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_we_talk_about_%E2%80%9Cbody_memory%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>Should we talk about \u201cbody memory\u201d?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The expression can be used as a metaphor, but it becomes problematic if it suggests that a psychological memory is literally stored in a muscle or fascia. It is more precise to speak of sensorimotor learning, procedural memory, and anticipation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_muscles_contract_more\"><\/span>Why do muscles contract more?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A protective strategy may attempt to limit range or speed. In some people, this increases co-contraction around a region. But there is no single muscular response to pain: motor control can adapt in many different ways.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_contraction_always_protect\"><\/span>Does contraction always protect?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In the short term, it may increase stability. Over time, strong contraction can make movement more costly and reinforce the impression that the region is fragile. The goal is therefore not to eliminate all protection, but to regain the ability to increase or decrease it according to the situation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_some_patients_move_better_when_distracted\"><\/span>Why do some patients move better when distracted?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Attention to threat can alter both movement and the pain experience. When a task becomes more automatic or is directed toward an external goal, some people move more freely. This does not prove that their pain is psychological; it shows that motor control depends on context.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_pain_during_movement_always_mean_you_should_stop\"><\/span>Does pain during movement always mean you should stop?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No, but it should not simply be ignored either. A mild, temporary increase may be acceptable in some rehabilitation programs, whereas intense or progressive pain, or pain accompanied by weakness, loss of sensation, or major swelling, requires a different approach.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_graded_exposure\"><\/span>What is graded exposure?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Graded exposure means progressively returning to avoided movements or activities under controlled conditions. A person might begin with a smaller range, lighter load, or slower speed, then progress after discovering that the task can be performed without disproportionate consequences.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_experience_matter_more_than_explanation_alone\"><\/span>Why does experience matter more than explanation alone?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Saying \u201cyou can move\u201d is not always enough. A successful concrete experience provides new information to the system. The person discovers that the movement can be performed with less pain or more control than expected.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_all_precautions_be_removed\"><\/span>Should all precautions be removed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>No. A precaution can be useful and may even represent progress if it allows someone to resume an activity. The aim is to make strategies more flexible, not to impose abrupt exposure.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_can_movement_variability_help\"><\/span>Why can movement variability help?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Practicing a task in several ways can expand movement options: slightly changing position, speed, load, or support. This variability should remain appropriate to the person&#8217;s capacity and should not become a succession of unnecessary challenges.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_osteopaths_role\"><\/span>What is the osteopath\u2019s role?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>An osteopath may contribute by temporarily reducing discomfort, exploring better-tolerated movements, and helping the person gradually return to activity. Manual treatment then becomes support for movement rather than a way of correcting a supposedly displaced structure.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_touch_facilitate_a_return_to_movement\"><\/span>Can touch facilitate a return to movement?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>For some people, reassuring and predictable contact makes movement easier. For others, it increases vigilance. It should be tested rather than assumed. The patient must retain the right to say that touch is not helpful.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_we_talk_to_patients_without_reinforcing_fear\"><\/span>How can we talk to patients without reinforcing fear?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is better to avoid statements such as \u201cyour back is fragile\u201d or \u201cyour pelvis is unstable.\u201d A more useful formulation might be: <strong>\u201cYour body seems to prepare very strongly for this movement. We can look for a version that allows you to do it with greater confidence and control.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_the_word_%E2%80%9Cprotection%E2%80%9D_useful_but_imperfect\"><\/span>Why is the word \u201cprotection\u201d useful but imperfect?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It reminds us that the response is not irrational. However, persistent pain should not always be explained by a single protective mechanism. Some people have several sources of pain, genuine structural disorders, or diseases that require a specific diagnosis.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_is_medical_reassessment_needed\"><\/span>When is medical reassessment needed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Rapidly worsening pain, new weakness, a significant sensory deficit, fever, unexplained weight loss, major trauma, or a substantial change from the usual symptom pattern requires appropriate evaluation before concluding that the problem is simply anticipation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_confidence_not_enough\"><\/span>Why is confidence not enough?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A person may feel more confident without yet having recovered strength or endurance. Progression should therefore consider both confidence and actual physical capacity.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_can_progress_be_measured\"><\/span>How can progress be measured?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Range of motion, speed, tolerated load, breathing, pain after activity, and especially the ability to resume an important function can all be observed. Progress often means having more choices rather than achieving the complete absence of pain.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The body can anticipate pain because it learns to predict the consequences of movement. This anticipation may be influenced by fear, but also by experience, protection, and the person&#8217;s current physical capacity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The most useful clinical response is rarely to tell a patient to \u201cstop being afraid.\u201d It is usually better to progressively create movement experiences that are safe enough for protection to become more flexible.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Task-specific vs general measures of pain-related fear relative associations with spinal motor behaviour: a systematic review and meta-analysis. <em>Pain<\/em>. 2026;167(2):258-272.<\/li>\n<li>Goubran M, et al. Relationship Between Fear of Movement and Physical Activity in Patients With Cardiac, Rheumatologic, Neurologic, Pulmonary, or Pain Conditions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. <em>Phys Ther<\/em>. 2025.<\/li>\n<li>How to experimentally induce fear of movement-related pain and measure psychophysiological and behavioral reactions as a proxy: a scoping review. 2025.<\/li>\n<li>De Baets L, Matheve T, Timmermans A. The Association Between Fear of Movement, Pain Catastrophizing, Pain Anxiety, and Protective Motor Behavior. <em>Am J Phys Med Rehabil<\/em>. 2020;99(10):941-949.<\/li>\n<li>Tomassini M, et al. Outcome measures for fear of movement in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review with meta-analysis. 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why can a movement feel threatening before it even begins? Pain anticipation, learning, fear of movement, and a gradual return to activity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":60995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61763","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61763","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61763"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61763\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61763"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61763"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/osteomag.ca\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61763"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}