The Rehab Gap: Why You Keep Getting Hurt After “Healing”

Why does your injury keep coming back—even after rehab?

In this episode of Past Your Prime, Craig and Alex break down the “Rehab Gap”: the vulnerable zone between feeling better and actually being better. If you’ve ever stopped rehab too early, mistook fitness for readiness, or blown yourself up trying to return to activity, this episode is for you.

They unpack:

• Why symptoms disappearing doesn’t mean the injury is resolved

• The difference between tissue capacity and exercise capacity

• What the rehab standard actually looks like

• How the therapeutic gap explains your plateau

• The full checklist for graduating from Phase 3 and avoiding reinjury

Whether you're managing a bum knee, cranky wrist, or recurring back pain—this episode helps you cross the Rubicon and stay in the game.

✅ Phase 3 Completion Checklist: Are You Ready to Cross the Rehab Gap?

Use this checklist to assess whether you're ready to move from rehab to full performance:

1. Key signs are clear and improving – You can track progress and responses to activity.

2. You tolerate higher volume and intensity – No delayed flares (12–72 hours) or end-of-week crashes.

3. Your home plan includes progressive loading – You’re actively increasing load and complexity.

4. You’ve reintroduced key real-life triggers – And your body handles them without setbacks.

5. Artificial stabilization is minimal – Bracing, taping, or aids are now used only as training/performance tools.

6. Tissue and fatigue responses are stable – You know what your body can handle and can adjust as needed.

7. You can manage flare-ups independently – Without relying on providers, meds, or external tools.

8. You’ve kept your therapeutic gap – You’re still doing what helps, even as you feel better.

If you're missing one or more of these, you're likely still in Phase 3. Stay there, keep building tissue capacity, and monitor your feedback loops.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Craig’s 4 signs of a healthy knee

• Dwyane Wade and the failure of elite rehab systems

• Tissue response levels and flare-up timing

• The 3 Capacities Model (energy, tissue, exercise)

• Artificial stabilization levels (crutch → performance aid)

• How to stop confusing pain relief with actual readiness

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Welcome to Past Your Prime – the podcast for active adults balancing training, rehab, family, and real life.

In each episode, hosts Craig Smith and Alex Keicher dive into real-world strategies for overcoming injuries, staying strong, and living pain-free — even when life gets chaotic.

💡 Learn more, access resources, and join our community: 👉 ⁠⁠pastyourprime.com⁠⁠

Follow us on Instagram:

📲 Alex – ⁠⁠@spikerkeicher⁠⁠

📲 Craig – ⁠⁠@craigsmithPT