Episode 81: Dosing: How Much Is Enough? Finding the Sweet Zone in Persistent Pain

How much is enough? How do you know when to push and when to back off? When does consistency matter more than novelty? And when do you stop? In this episode, Bart van Buchem and Tim Beames explore the clinical judgment behind dosing in persistent pain; from exercise to enrichment to life itself. Tim shares his cost-benefit framework and a walking case study that illustrates why erring on the side of caution builds more momentum than pushing too hard. Bart introduces the tides metaphor from a patient whose fluctuating symptoms needed flexible dosing, not a fixed protocol. They also discuss preparation and recovery (the Usain Bolt principle), widening the dosing lens beyond reps and sets, using embodied cues as guides, and why the last rep should never be the worst. This is the fourth instalment in a series covering agency, affordances, playfulness, and now dosing — together forming a practical framework for persistent pain rehabilitation. 🔗 Read the full blog and sign up for our monthly clinical newsletter at lepubscientifique.com