Using Pacing to Manage Persistent Pain: How Why Use Pacing? Pacing is a pain management strategy that helps people with persistent pain gradually increase their activity levels without exacerbating symptoms. Chronic pain often leads to a "boom-and-bust" cycle: individuals push themselves too hard on good days and then experience severe pain and exhaustion on bad days, forcing them to rest excessively. This cycle can reduce overall functionality and quality of life. By pacing, you can balance act