Chronic pain is an incredibly difficult thing to deal with, especially since it can plague you on a daily basis. Depending on the source of your pain as well as any underlying medical conditions you might have, your chronic pain may or may not be able to be cured. Different types of treatments are available for patients visiting their local clinic for pain management, including physical therapy and a range of at-home exercises that can gradually reduce symptoms of pain. Below, we are going to list our top 7 tips for exercising with chronic pain that can help you more easily manage your condition and gain better agency over your everyday life.
7 Tips for Exercising with Chronic Pain
Start Out Slowly
When working on physical therapy and at-home exercising, you are likely very eager to be pain-free at any moment. Unfortunately, healing takes time, and you must approach chronic pain exercise in a very gradual manner. Start out with something small and low-impact, such as walking or waving your arms.
Give Yourself Time to Stretch
Just as athletes should not be jumping into the big game without warming up with some stretches, you likewise should not be engaging in any kind of exercise without first stretching your muscles. Stretching can be hard to do when you have chronic pain, but it is important to remember that a little bit goes a long way. Start by moving your arms slowly in circles, stretching your legs out in front of you, or moving your neck side to side.
Invest in a Better Diet
There is plenty of research to show that eating well can reduce symptoms of chronic pain over time. Unhealthy substances like sugar and white flour can increase your body’s inflammation, which will be especially apparent in areas where you have pain. This can only worsen your symptoms instead of making things feel better over time. Eating healthy vitamins and nutrients can increase blood flow and encourage your body’s healing capabilities.
Exercise in the Water
Water exercise is an amazing idea for those experiencing chronic pain throughout different parts of their bodies. Water helps keep activities low-impact while lessening the pressure put directly onto your joints and muscles. This makes it easy to perform different exercises and stretches without exerting yourself.
Relax While You Exercise
Exercising to relieve chronic pain is a lot different than exercising to build strength or lose weight. Make sure you schedule plenty of time to rest in between your reps and exercises. Developing a series of breathing techniques and mindfulness practices can take you a long way in your journey to be pain-free.
Stop Smoking
If you are looking to make some major improvements in your health, it is a good idea to stop smoking regularly. Smoking can hinder and reduce your blood’s ability to circulate throughout the body, which makes it harder for you to heal. What’s more, tobacco damages the immune system, which can lead to further health complications in the future.
Stick With it Every Day!
Progress can seem impossible to measure when things are going so slowly. But the best way to guarantee that you will make progress is by sticking with your exercises every single day. It is imperative to establish a regular routine of exercising and working through your pain. You can get better over time, and you will be able to look back and measure all the progress you’ve made.
You deserve to feel your best. While we work to find a number of in-office treatments to treat your needs, you can also work on rebuilding your strength at home through routine exercises. Learn more about specific treatments at our medical center, such as spinal cord stimulation for pain relief, when you get in touch with us today and schedule a personal consultation.
