While exercise is likely the last thing on a chronic pain sufferer’s mind, it’s one of the best things they can do to manage their symptoms. Movement is medicine, and regular activity helps patients increase energy and regain strength. Below, we list five low-impact exercises for those with chronic pain.
1. Swimming and Water Aerobics
Water is a great place for low-impact exercise because it exerts minimal force on joints. If lap swimming is too tough, water aerobics is an excellent starting point. Many classes use floating equipment for the gentle, natural resistance it provides. Check with local pools and Oklahoma pain management services for class recommendations.
2. Walking Outdoors or on the Treadmill
As easy as it may seem, a walk around the block can boost your health. Unlike jogging and running, which put stress and strain on joints, walking is a form of low-impact movement that can be done at a pace that suits your body and fitness goals.
3. Yoga
With roots that go back thousands of years, yoga is the perfect combination of meditation and exercise. It offers numerous health benefits, and it’s often done at a slow pace. Most yoga practices include a series of poses and stretching exercises that allow chronic pain patients to stay fit without aggravating existing injuries. Additionally, yoga’s meditative aspects can ease stress and increase relaxation.
4. Recumbent Biking
While all bicycles offer low-impact movement, recumbent stationary bikes help patients manage pain while maintaining fitness. The equipment is engineered to put riders in comfortable positions, and the laid-back posture alleviates stress on the neck and lower back, whilst helping you develop leg strength. If you want to keep pedaling but chronic pain won’t allow it, a recumbent bike is a great alternative.
5. Elliptical Trainer
Commonplace in gyms everywhere, elliptical machines are designed to match a runner’s motions without stress on tendons, ligaments, and joints. These machines offer all the cardio benefits of running but none of the physical strain, and chronic pain sufferers often turn to it to stay active and fit.
Physical Activity Boosts Mental and Physical Health
Many chronic pain patients struggle with anxiety, depression, and other issues because they can no longer live active lifestyles. Anxiety and stress cause the body to increase production of inflammation-causing chemicals that worsen pain, but regular low-impact exercise alleviates stress while boosting self-esteem and confidence.
While many see fitness as a solitary pursuit, it’s even better with friends. Having a gym buddy makes procrastination harder and workouts more fun. Find a family member or friend to work out with for additional motivation and decreased stress.
Regular Exercise Helps Patients Manage Pain and Body Weight
Being overweight makes chronic pain worse. The heavier a person is, the harder their tendons, joints, and muscles must work, which increases the risk of sprains, strains, and damage.
Furthermore, obesity affects vertebrae, discs, and other spinal structures. Some patients experience low back pain and sciatica from pinched nerves or herniated discs damaged by additional weight. Thankfully, chronic pain sufferers can maintain a healthy body weight by making better food choices and exercising regularly.
Get Moving and Stay Healthy
These low-impact exercises may alleviate chronic pain symptoms in some patients. However, if your pain becomes unmanageable, visit a specialist who can offer treatment options that work to restore vitality, movement, and health.
