118. Tayla Cannon: Overcoming Pain With Strength, Core & Hip Stability
Overcoming Pain With Strength: Why Your Body Needs More Than Stretching
Discover why chronic pain keeps returning and how building strength and stability, not just stretching, can help you move better and feel more supported in your training.
You stretch. You rest. You switch up your workouts. But somehow, that nagging pain in your back, hip, or knee keeps showing up like an uninvited guest who won't take the hint.
Sound familiar?
The truth is, sometimes the issue isn't the pain itself, it's what your body is missing when it tries to move. In the latest episode of Broads, Tara sits down with Tayla Cannon, physiotherapist and founder of Athletic Rebuild, to unpack why recurring pain happens and what actually creates lasting change.
Spoiler: It's not more foam rolling.
Why Pain Keeps Coming Back
If you've been dealing with the same tight spot or achy joint for weeks (or let's be real, months), you're not alone. But here's the kicker, chasing symptom relief without addressing the root cause is like putting a band-aid on a leaky pipe. You might get temporary relief, but the problem's still there.
Tayla explains that recurring pain often points to a stability issue. Your body is working overtime to compensate for a lack of support somewhere in the chain. Maybe your hips aren't controlling movement the way they should. Maybe your core isn't kicking in when you need it. Either way, your body is asking for help, and stretching alone isn't going to cut it.
Strength Changes Everything
Here's where things get interesting. When you build strength in the right places, you're not just getting stronger, you're teaching your body how to handle load more efficiently. And that changes everything.
Think about it: if your hips can't stabilize properly when you squat, lunge, or even walk, other parts of your body have to pick up the slack. Your lower back might overwork. Your knees might track inward. Over time, those compensations turn into pain patterns that feel impossible to shake.
The solution? Targeted strength work that gives your body the support it's been craving. Tayla emphasizes that this isn't about going heavier or pushing through discomfort, it's about building capacity in the areas that need it most.
Hip Control: The Missing Link
Let's talk hips. Specifically, why hip control matters way more than most people realize.
Your hips are central to pretty much every movement you do, squatting, deadlifting, running, even standing on one leg to put your pants on. When your hips can't stabilize and control movement properly, the effects ripple out. Back pain. Knee issues. Ankle instability. It all connects.
Tayla breaks down how improving hip control doesn't just reduce pain, it improves how you move in everyday life. Better stability means better movement quality, which means less wear and tear on your joints over time. It's the kind of work that pays dividends long-term, not just in the gym but in everything you do.
What Core Support Actually Means
We've all heard "engage your core" a million times, but what does that actually look like in real life?
Core support isn't about crunching or bracing as hard as you can. It's about having the stability to maintain good positioning while you move. Whether you're lifting, carrying groceries, or playing with your kids, your core is what keeps everything in check.
Tayla points out that a lot of people think they're engaging their core when really, they're just holding their breath and tensing up. True core stability is more subtle, it's about creating internal support that allows you to move with control, not rigidity.
Why Stretching Alone Isn't the Answer
If you've been stretching religiously and still dealing with the same tightness, this part is for you.
Stretching can feel good in the moment, but if you're not addressing the underlying weakness or instability, you're just temporarily lengthening a muscle that's going to tighten right back up. Why? Because your body needs that tension to compensate for what's missing.
Enter: loaded mobility.
Loaded mobility is about taking your joints through their full range of motion while under tension—think controlled movements with resistance. This approach not only improves flexibility but also builds strength at end ranges, which creates more lasting change than passive stretching ever could.
Tayla shares how this method helps people move better without constantly feeling like they need to stretch 24/7. You're not just loosening up, you're building resilience.
Building Capacity, Not Chasing Quick Fixes
One of the biggest mindset shifts Tayla talks about is moving away from the quick-fix mentality. We live in a world where everyone wants instant results, but when it comes to your body, slow and steady wins the race.
Building capacity means gradually increasing what your body can handle, more load, more volume, more complexity, without breaking down. It's the opposite of pushing through pain or constantly trying to hack your way around symptoms.
This approach requires patience, but it's what actually creates lasting change. You're not just managing pain, you're building a stronger, more resilient body that can handle whatever you throw at it.
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Rehab can feel overwhelming. There's always more to do, more to fix, more to work on. But Tayla's approach is refreshingly practical: start where you are and build from there.
You don't need to overhaul your entire training routine or spend hours on mobility work every day. You just need to identify what your body is missing and give it the support it needs, whether that's hip stability, core control, or better movement patterns.
The key is consistency over perfection. Small, intentional changes add up over time, and before you know it, those recurring aches start to fade.
The Bottom Line
If you've been dealing with pain that keeps coming back, it's time to stop chasing quick fixes and start building the strength and stability your body actually needs. Stretching has its place, but real change happens when you address the root cause, not just the symptoms.
Tayla's approach through Athletic Rebuild bridges the gap between rehab and training, helping people move past temporary relief and into long-term resilience. And honestly? That's the kind of work that actually sticks.
Ready to start moving better? Check out more from Tayla at www.athleticrebuild.net or follow her on Instagram @taylacannonphysio.
And if this episode hit home for you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. We're all in this together.
Listen to the full episode on the Broads podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
