Okuzeka
Physiotherapy vocabulary · Instructions and Patient Talk

Pace yourself

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

phraseCommon term

In physiotherapy, pace yourself means: To spread activity out over time and take breaks before you get too tired or sore, instead of doing too much at once.

In Turkish: kendini zorlamamak, temponu ayarlamak, aktiviteyi dengeli dağıtmak

How it is used

Physiotherapists say it to people with chronic pain, fatigue or MS, or during a long recovery: 'pace yourself and build up gradually'. The related noun, pacing, is a recognised self-management approach that helps people avoid a cycle of doing too much and then having to stop for days ('boom and bust').

Example sentences

  1. Pace yourself: do the gardening in short spells with a rest in between.

  2. On a good day, try to pace yourself instead of doing everything at once.

Common collocations

  • activity pacing
  • build up gradually
  • boom and bust cycle
  • take regular breaks
  • chronicDescribes a condition or pain that has lasted a long time, usually more than three months, or that keeps coming back.
  • flare-upA period when the symptoms of a long-term condition, especially pain, suddenly get worse for a while.
  • multiple sclerosisA long-term condition in which the immune system damages the protective covering of nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms such as fatigue, weakness and balance problems.
  • adherenceHow well a patient follows the treatment they agreed to, for example doing their exercises regularly and in the way they were shown.

More terms: Instructions and Patient Talk

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.