The usual advice you get when you are in pain is to slow down, rest and wait for the pain to go away but did you know that this could actually be causing more harm than good?
Exercise is a healthy and natural way to address pain.
Exercise & Pain
Here are some simple guidelines to help you:
- Keep it Simple
Simple, gentle exercises are a safe bet when you’re in pain. Short walks outdoors or activities that are easy on your joints, such as swimming or cycling can be beneficial to your physical well-being.
There’s a time and place for those complicated, multi-equipment using gym routines, but when you’re not feeling your best, a nice easy stroll can be just as good. - Don’t Over Do It
If you suffer from chronic pain or multiple acute injuries that just seem to come one after another then it can be tempting to go all out on your ‘good’ days.
This could be detrimental to your health however and could actually be the cause of those ‘bad’ days. Our bodies like consistency and just like we need to eat consistently healthily to maintain a certain weight, we should be exercising consistently to achieve a good level of physical health. So the next time you have one of those bad days, call it a rest day and exercise as usual the day after. Don’t try to squeeze two days of exercise into one. - Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
Sometimes our usual exercise routines stop working for our bodies due to a change in circumstances or an injury and we need a change. Sometimes we do the same exercise routine for so long that it gets boring even. What ever the reason, a change in routine can help keep things tailored to your current needs and goals and keep you interested and engaged in your workout.
We’re lucky to live in a city surrounded by all kinds of amenities and facilities, which means you’re never too far from a gym with a team of personal trainers, a pool with an instructor available or a Physiotherapist with a wealth of knowledge in how to get people moving.
What ever your choice and what ever works for you is what matters….just don’t forget to reach out and ask for help when you need it!
For support or advice, please contact our physios for specialists for assistance.