Exercising When You Have Chronic Pain

Cody Barnett PT January 9, 2023 Arthritis, Back Pain, Elbow Pain, Foot and Ankle Pain, Foot Pain, Hip Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain

Chronic pain can be life-altering in so many ways. It can be hard to get up in the morning, can be difficult to tie a shoe, and it will most certainly impact your daily routines and activities because the pain is constant and sometimes intolerable.

The pain can have you feeling that you are not able to continue with an exercise routine, or will make you feel that the pain will only get worse when you are exercising. You are not the only one that feels this way, and you will certainly not be the last.

We are here to tell you that it is ok to feel this way. We can also tell you that exercising can also help reduce the pain and sometimes eliminate the issues that you may be having in regards to chronic pain.

Every Person is Different

Obviously, everyone is different and the pain that you are feeling is going to be different from the next person. So there is no perfect solution for most pain points that you might be experiencing. But, there are things you can do to help you alleviate some of the pain you have.

We also recommend that you start slow and ramp up the exercising keeping in mind that the pain you are experiencing isn’t getting worse and it would be best to seek more advice on your pain from medical experts, as they will know the best thing for your body.

If the problem persists and your pain gets worse, then you can visit our offices and physical therapy clinic in Wichita, KS to talk to an expert about the pain you are experiencing.

I did a video on this topic and we have seen success in the clinic when dealing with chronic pain. People are just hesitant to get started because they do not know how to start or are scared that the pain will only get worse. So, let’s talk about the different things you can do to get started and back to exercising again.

Exercising With Chronic Pain… You Can Do It

Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts more than 12 weeks as a result of an accident or ailment. Many of our clients and people we see look for a qualified personal trainer, yoga class, or corrective exercise specialist in the hopes of employing exercise to alleviate chronic pain.

It is believed that as many as 25% of individuals in the United States suffer from chronic pain. So the issue of chronic pain is common, and because it is common there are many experts and people that have worked to find ways to help themselves and others in dealing with this pain.

We suggest that you come see us, and work with your doctor to come up with a plan when beginning to exercise with chronic pain. You do not want to make matters worse and just jump into exercising without understanding the effects it could have on your injury or ailment. It could cause you even more pain.

It Takes Time, But it Works!

Studies have shown that exercise has improved chronic pain, and that alleviating the pain comes when you exercise and focus on strengthening the areas around the impacted area.

The best place to start after consulting a medical expert, is slowly and exercises that are easier on the body. You are able to gauge how much your body can take, what exercises feel comfortable, and you can avoid injury or worsening the pain by knowing what your body responds to when exercising.

As you start and begin to gain strength, you can also understand the recovery period your body may need and can schedule your routine accordingly. It will be important to stay consistent and understand that it will take time to see results. By starting slowly you are not forcing your body to respond in a manner it is not accustomed to and will result in injury or pain.

You want to make sure that you get to a point of exercising every day, keeping your body in shape and used to the strain that comes with exercising and using those muscles and joints. Balance your exercises to be cardio, strengthening, and stretching. Do not just focus on one of those areas, and make sure that you are working different areas to avoid overuse and more strain than needed.

Some of those days will be better than others, your body will respond differently, and do not be afraid to stop if you are feeling as if you are making the pain worse. It will be important to understand your body and how you are feeling when working out and post workout. Listen to your body.

Exercise is great when dealing with chronic pain. It might not feel like it would be, but most times you are helping alleviate or eliminate your pain. Exercise helps with body weight, sleep patterns, reduces fatigue, reduces pain sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and helps improve mental health. All positives when dealing with any kind of injury or pain.

So don’t just stop exercising because you are in pain. Seek medical advice, create a plan, and start helping yourself eliminate the pain that is keeping you from enjoying life.

What If I Have Chronic Pain And Want To Start Exercising Again

It is quite common for us to see patients with chronic pain that have failed to get back to exercising or are hesitant to start.

In fact, many of our most successful clients have seen poor success because they just do not know where to start or have received the wrong information from others in the field. Even if you have suffered for months or years, consider coming in to see us and get evaluated.

Treatment here at Bodyworx includes listening to your story regarding what has happened, evaluating anatomical structures from the toes, mid foot, ankle, calf, knee, and up into the hip.

We then educate the patient on what is going on and why it’s happening so they can understand the mechanism that may have caused the injury.

Sometimes patients walk out with 50% less than when they walked in. They are elated regarding the progress. We then empower you with specific things to do at home to put you in control of the pain instead of the pain controlling you.

Find Out More About Treatment For Chronic Pain

If you are struggling with chronic pain, feel free to schedule a free phone consult, or contact us to arrange a free discovery visit. You can also feel free to give us a call at 316.558.8808 (We still like to talk on the phone!)

We also have many more pain related videos on our YouTube channel.

Don’t let chronic pain keep you from returning to what you love to do! Walking, running, and playing with the kids is still possible. You just need to know where to start!

We love to keep people in Wichita, Andover, Derby, and Maize (as well as the surrounding areas in Kansas) mobile, active, and off pain pills – let our expertise go to work for you to help you return to the activities you love.

Don’t forget, you can schedule a no-obligation (and free!) phone consult or visit us at our Wichita clinic as part of your free discovery visit. Or just give us a call at 316.558.8808.

Until next time,

Cody Barnett PT