Definition
Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) is the anticipation that movement will cause pain, damage, or overwhelm. It is one of the strongest predictors of disability in chronic pain.
Why it matters
This connects Collection 8 (pain neuroscience) and Collection 23 (movement science) directly. Fear of movement is a shared clinical target.
The Science
Kinesiophobia is measurable (Tampa Scale) and modifiable through pain neuroscience education, graded exposure, and successful movement experience.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats kinesiophobia as intelligent nervous-system protection needing updated information.
Clinical Implications
Combining pain education with graded movement outperforms either alone.
Practical Application
You are not weak for being afraid to move. You are protecting. Small safe movement is how the protection updates.
References
- 1.Kori SH, Miller RP, Todd DD. Kinesiophobia: a new view of chronic pain behavior. Pain Manag. 1990;3:35–43.