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If you are navigating chronic pain, you might like to know that physical activity can be a valuable tool for pain management. Exercise can yield a variety of physical, as well as mental and emotional benefits. With exercise, you can:
- Build muscle strength and increase flexibility
- Reduce inflammation
- Decrease pain sensitivity
- Reduce fatigue
- Improve the quality of your sleep
- Boost mood and reduce anxiety and depression
1. Build Muscle Strength And Increased Flexibility
Regular exercise can strengthen your muscles, which prevents any pain from muscle atrophy resulting from aging, immobility, or injuries. Please note it is best to consult an expert so that you do not put any strain on existing medical conditions.
2. Reduce Inflammation
Studies have shown that just 20 minutes of physical activity per day can activate your body’s sympathetic nervous system and improve your body’s anti-inflammatory response.
3. Decrease Pain Sensitivity
There are a number of theories as to why exercise can decrease pain sensitivity. One theory suggests that regular exercise builds pain tolerance. Another theory suggests that it is the release of our body’s natural chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin that is beneficial.
4. Reduce Fatigue
Physical activity has been shown to help relieve fatigue, a common symptom reported by people who live with chronic pain. Exercise improves cardiovascular health, which boosts the body’s ability to circulate oxygen. Studies have shown that, when it comes to reducing fatigue and increasing energy levels, regular, gentle exercise can be more beneficial than high-impact strenuous workouts.
5. Improve The Quality Of Your Sleep
Research shows that exercise can help regulate your body’s circadian rhythm and lead to a more restful sleep.
6. Boost Mood And Reduce Anxiety And Depression
It is not uncommon for people to wrestle with stress, anxiety, or depression as they live with chronic pain. Fortunately, physical activity cues our body to release endorphins, our natural feel-good hormone. Walden University also proposes that an increased heart rate from exercise can also reverse the negative effects of stress, through the production of beneficial neurohormones that improve both mood and cognition.
How Does Inactivity Make Chronic Pain Worse?
Inactivity can cause decreased strength, reduced mobility, and stiff muscles. A medical condition, Disuse Syndrome, is used to describe the physical effects of not getting enough regular exercise on your musculoskeletal structure. Muscles weakened from disuse, for example, are more vulnerable to sustaining injuries. Physical activity is important for maintaining the range of movement in your joints and flexibility. Prolonged inactivity can also affect the delivery of nutrients to your bones, and your heart’s ability to pump blood to the rest of your body.
When Should I Consult My Doctor Before Beginning An Exercise Routine?
Although it may be tempting to start a workout routine immediately, it is advised to always consult your doctor before beginning regular exercise. Physical activity can be useful for pain management, but it is best to get professional input first so that you do not exacerbate any preexisting medical conditions. For patients located in the east Stroudsburg, PA area, the experts at MVM Health would be glad to offer guidance and a variety of treatment methods for chronic pain. Call 570-445-2200 to request an appointment.
