Living in Pain Isn’t a Lifestyle — It’s a Signal. Here’s What to Do About It

According to a recent article in Dartmouth Today, more than 20% of adults in Devon are living with joint, bone, or muscle conditions. That’s one in five people — our neighbours, parents, grandparents, friends — quietly adjusting their lives around pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

What’s worrying isn’t just the number — it’s the normalisation of pain. Many people believe it’s simply part of ageing. Something to be tolerated. Managed. Put up with.

But here’s the truth: Pain is not just a symptom. It’s a signal.

And most importantly — you don’t have to live with it.

We Treat Pain Like Bad Weather

People often treat joint or muscle pain like they treat a rainy day: an inconvenience to push through, not something that requires action. They modify their behaviour, stop doing the things they love, and avoid movements that once felt easy. The worst part? They get used to it.

You may recognise some of these patterns:

• Choosing the lift over the stairs

• No longer kneeling down to play with grandkids

• Skipping walks or social outings

• Feeling stiff and sore after simple tasks like gardening or shopping

Bit by bit, capacity is lost — and with it, independence and quality of life.

Why Waiting Makes It Worse

Pain often starts subtly. A stiff hip in the morning. A sore knee after a long walk. A shoulder that feels tight reaching overhead.

But what starts as discomfort can quickly become dysfunction.

The longer you leave it, the more compensations your body makes. You move differently to avoid pain, creating new imbalances. You avoid activity altogether, which leads to deconditioning and loss of strength.

What might have been resolved with the right guidance becomes a longer road back.

So What’s the Alternative?

The answer isn’t just more rest. Or painkillers. Or vague stretches from a leaflet.

The real solution is to:

• Understand the root cause of your pain

• Rebuild the strength that protects your joints

• Restore confidence in how you move

• Integrate movement into your life in a way that feels safe, manageable, and effective

At Poseidon Performance, that’s exactly what we do.We bridge the gap between injury rehab, strength training, and long-term health.

We don’t offer a one-size-fits-all program. We offer a pathway back to capability.

The Poseidon Approach: Rebuild, Don’t Retreat

Our work is grounded in decades of experience with clients from all walks of life — from elite athletes to older adults recovering from joint replacements, spinal injuries, or years of chronic pain.

What they all have in common is this:

They’re tired of feeling limited. They’re ready to feel strong again.

Here’s how we help:

• We begin with a comprehensive assessment of your movement, strength, and injury history

• We develop a personalised training plan that meets you exactly where you are

• We coach you through progressive movement strategies — restoring mobility, building strength, and reintroducing load safely

• We adjust and adapt as your confidence grows

The result?

A body that not only feels better — but performs better in everyday life.

Common Client Wins

Here’s what “success” looks like for many of our clients:

• Walking uphill again without knee pain

• Sleeping through the night without shoulder discomfort

• Carrying shopping without fear of their back flaring up

• Getting back on the bike after a hip replacement

• Returning to yoga, running, or swimming after years off

• Climbing stairs with ease instead of hesitation

These might seem like small wins, but they’re life-changing. And they’re possible for you too.

You Don’t Have to Accept This as Your New Normal

There’s a moment we see in almost every client journey — the moment they realise they’re not broken. They just haven’t had the right plan or support.

Maybe you’ve been told that “it’s just wear and tear” or “part of getting older.”

That’s not good enough.

There is so much you can do to restore your body’s strength, resilience, and capability — at any age.

And if you’re based in Devon, you’re not alone in this. But you do have a choice.

Ready to Reclaim Your Strength?

If your body doesn’t feel like it used to — if pain, stiffness, or loss of strength is affecting how you live — don’t wait.

You don’t need to “tough it out” or keep guessing your way through it.

• You need a plan.

• You need guidance.

• And you need to know it’s never too late to start rebuilding.

That’s where we come in.

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, dealing with long-term pain, or just want to feel stronger and more capable again — Poseidon Performance can help.

Join the community that’s moving better, living better, and proving that age is not the enemy.