Do you really have a “high pain threshold”?

(In this article I’m talking about the everyday pain most of us experience from time to time — not long-standing chronic pain.)

Most people I meet tell me they have a higher-than-average pain threshold.

You’ve probably heard it too.
But have you ever met anyone who says they have an average pain threshold?

It’s worth pausing on that for a moment. If most people believe they’re above average… then something doesn’t quite add up.

What’s usually happening is a bit of confusion about what a “pain threshold” actually is — and understanding this properly can be genuinely useful, especially if pain is affecting your back, hip, work, exercise, or day-to-day life.

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What a pain threshold actually means

In pain science, the word threshold describes how much stimulation is needed before a pain nerve sends a danger signal to the brain.

You can think of it like pressure on a trigger.
Some pressure can be applied without anything happening, but once a certain point is reached, the signal is sent.

Different pain nerves have different thresholds — some are more sensitive than others — which means it’s possible for tissue to be stressed without pain being felt, and also for pain to be felt without any tissue damage occurring.

That’s an important distinction.

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What people usually mean by “high pain threshold”

When people say they have a high pain threshold, they rarely mean they’re less sensitive to pain.

What they usually mean is this:

“I can keep going for longer than most people, even when something hurts.”

In other words, they’re not feeling less pain — they’re just more willing (or more used to) functioning despite pain.

Once you see it that way, things become much clearer. The difference between people is often not how much pain they feel, but how they respond to it.

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Why pain stops us doing things

In my experience, the main reason people stop moving or avoid certain activities isn’t pain itself — it’s fear.

Common fears include:

• Fear the pain is a sign of damage
• Fear the pain means you’re doing something wrong
• Fear there’s “something wrong” with your body
• Fear the pain will spiral and get worse

These fears are understandable. Pain exists to protect us, and a good protection system is cautious by design. An under-protective system wouldn’t make much sense.

The problem is that a system designed to keep us safe can sometimes become over-protective — especially if the body isn’t used to a particular movement, load, or activity.

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A more useful question to ask

Instead of asking whether you have a “high pain threshold”, a more constructive question is:

Is this pain telling me I’ve actually done too much — or is it telling me I’m doing something my body isn’t yet confident with?

That distinction matters.

Sometimes pain does mean you should ease off.
Other times, it means your system needs gradual exposure, reassurance, and guidance — not avoidance.

Learning how to tell the difference is where good assessment, clear explanation, and sensible progression come in.

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The takeaway

Pain isn’t a measure of toughness.
And it isn’t always a sign of damage.

Often, it’s a signal asking for better understanding, smarter loading, and a bit more confidence in movement — not complete rest or panic.

If you’re unsure which category your pain falls into, getting it checked properly can make a huge difference to how you move, train, work, and live with confidence again.

If back or hip pain is holding you back and you’re not sure what your pain is trying to tell you, a calm, evidence-based assessment can help you move forward safely.