What is graded exposure in pain management within rehab?

• A. Administering escalating analgesic doses
• B. Gradually increasing activity exposure to reduce fear and avoidance and improve function
• C. Restricting activity
• D. Focusing only on passive modalities

Answer: (B)

Graded exposure in pain management is about helping people face activities they fear or avoid because of pain, but doing so in a controlled, gradual way. In rehab, the therapist builds a fear hierarchy of activities, from least to most feared, and the patient practices these tasks, advancing to higher levels as discomfort and anxiety lessen. The aim is to reduce fear-avoidance, decrease catastrophizing, and restore function, rather than just masking pain with medications or keeping the patient passive. By gradually and safely confronting movement and tasks, the nervous system learns that these activities are not dangerous, lowering protective guarding and improving overall function. This approach fits with pacing and coping strategies and helps move patients toward active, meaningful activity instead of prolonged restriction or reliance on passive modalities.