Phases are teaching labels. Real pathways overlap and are driven by criteria more than calendar dates.
Load percentages are relative educational markers for charts on this site.
Load across phases
Phases
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1
Calm & protect
Days–2 wksSettle irritability, protect healing tissues, keep neighbouring joints moving.
Load 20%
-
2
Restore motion & control
2–6 wksExpand comfortable range, reintroduce light loading and motor control drills.
Load 45%
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3
Build capacity
4–12 wksProgress strength, endurance and energy-storage qualities toward goal demands.
Load 70%
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4
Return & prevent
8–24+ wksTask exposure, monitoring plans and recurrence-prevention habits.
Load 95%
Post-operative and neuro protocols may stretch well beyond these generic bands.
Keep exploring
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