New from Active Sports Therapy
🤕 Ever heard of someone getting surgery… but the real problem was referred pain from somewhere else? It happens more than you’d think.
In this video, Dr. Jaron Sullivan breaks down why a thorough exam is critical before any procedure. At Active Sports Therapy, we couldn’t agree more. That’s why every patient starts with an in-depth range of motion and balance exam—to make sure we’re not missing spinal issues or nerve referral patterns that mimic pain elsewhere. 🧠
Your hip pain might not be a hip problem. Your shoulder pain could be driven by your neck. That’s why everything has to add up before you treat it. We love hearing orthopedic experts like Dr. Sullivan reiterate these sentiments here. Well done doc.
💡 Bonus takeaway: Patients can have more than one issue at once. That’s real life—and we’re here to sort it out before it snowballs.
📍Let’s change the culture of waiting until it’s too late.
Referred Pain: Why a Thorough Exam Matters Before Surgery
Active Sports Therapy knows that not all pain is where it appears. Referred pain can mimic hip or shoulder problems while the true source is the spine or nerve system. As the best chiropractic and rehabilitation therapy clinic in Hendersonville, TN and the Greater Nashville area, we focus on precise movement exams to guide safe, effective care.
What this topic means
Referred pain occurs when pain is perceived in a location other than the source of the problem. For example, hip pain may actually stem from the lumbar spine or nerve irritation, and shoulder pain can be driven by dysfunction in the neck. Understanding referred pain shifts the emphasis from treating a single joint to assessing the entire movement system — balance, range of motion, strength, and neuromuscular control.
Why it matters for patients in Hendersonville and Nashville
Patients in Hendersonville, TN and the Greater Nashville area deserve care that reduces risk and improves outcomes. Misdiagnosing the origin of pain can lead to unnecessary procedures, delayed recovery, and persistent dysfunction. At Active Sports Therapy, our goal is to be the trusted clinic people search for when they type “best chiropractic care Hendersonville TN,” “best rehabilitation therapy Hendersonville TN,” or “chiropractor near me.” Our approach protects your long-term performance, wellness, and ability to enjoy life in Middle Tennessee.
How our experts diagnose and treat it
Before recommending any invasive treatment, our clinicians perform a comprehensive, movement-focused evaluation. This includes range of motion testing, balance and gait analysis, targeted orthopedic and neurologic screening, and a careful review of your history. We look for patterns that suggest nerve referral or spinal contributors rather than isolated joint pathology.
Treatment is individualized and includes hands-on chiropractic adjustments, targeted therapeutic exercise, soft tissue mobilization, and neuromuscular re-education. For patients pursuing surgery, we provide prehab to optimize strength and mobility, and post-op rehab plans to expedite recovery. Our sport rehab Nashville TN expertise ensures athletes return to play with better mechanics and reduced reinjury risk.
Advanced techniques and equipment used
Active Sports Therapy integrates advanced assessment tools and evidence-based techniques to pinpoint sources of referred pain. We employ functional movement screening, dynamic balance testing, and instrument-assisted soft tissue techniques when appropriate. For objective progress tracking, we use range-of-motion measurements and performance metrics that matter to active people — from weekend warriors to competitive athletes.
Our clinicians coordinate closely with orthopedic surgeons and other specialists when imaging or intervention is needed, ensuring a team-based approach that prioritizes conservative care first and prevents unnecessary procedures when possible.
Patient success stories and real-world examples
A local runner presented with chronic lateral hip pain that had not responded to rest or injections. Our exam revealed lumbar rotation deficits and nerve tension contributing to the pain. After a six-week plan of spinal mobilization, gait retraining, and glute activation exercises, she returned to running with reduced symptoms and improved stride efficiency.
Another patient with chronic shoulder discomfort was referred with a possible rotator cuff tear. Our neck-focused assessment identified cervical contribution and nerve referral. Conservative care combining cervical mobility work, scapular stabilization, and progressive loading resolved her pain without surgery, restoring her fitness routine and daily comfort.
These examples show why a thorough, movement-based exam is essential to accurate, effective treatment and why patients seeking “sports rehab Nashville TN” or “injury recovery” find value at our clinic.
Prevention and long-term recovery strategies
To prevent misattributed pain and long-term limitations, we emphasize education, movement quality, and progressive conditioning. Patients receive individualized home programs focused on posture, core stability, and movement patterns that support daily activities and sport. Regular check-ins and performance assessments help us modify plans to maintain progress and prevent recurrence.
For those at risk of chronic symptoms, early evaluation and movement correction can reduce the chances of escalation into invasive treatments. Prioritizing comprehensive assessments and multi-faceted rehab fosters better outcomes for everyone in the Hendersonville and Nashville communities.
If you’re dealing with referred pain and misattributed joint pain, the best chiropractic and rehabilitation therapy team in Hendersonville, TN, is here to help you recover faster and perform better.
Make sure to watch this video for a deeper look at how our team helps patients overcome referred pain and return to full strength.
For more videos and tips, subscribe to our YouTube channel at Active Sports Therapy.
