Category: Pacing

What is Boom-Bust? Part of Beleura Health’s RECOVER patient training program, this video illustrates a concept from Butler And Moseley’s ‘Explain Pain’. Repeated flare-ups can sensitise the pain systems causing declining levels of tolerable activity and more pain.

 

This link explains the ‘boom-bust’ cycle as we try to live with pain. This can add to pain system sensitivity.

It is common when living with persistent pain to take a ‘boom-bust’ approach to doing activity, when we do too much and pay for it later with more pain and tension, less energy, and often frustration, anxiety or other powerful emotions.  This activity cycling can add to your suffering, as the response is often guarded postures and movements, breath holding, and avoidance of activity, which adds more suffering!  A vicious circle.   

Pacing activity is a key tool in managing activity and improving your sense of coping. 

• Consider smaller chunks of activity. 

• Regular check-ins with the body. 

• Take rest breaks before your pain increases. 

• Make regular changes in posture. 

• Incorporate recovery time from activity. 

• If static, add more movement opportunities. 

• The quality of your rest periods is important to maximise recovery but also performance over the day.