Movement Can Ease Pain
By Donna Stark
Do you use ice or heat? Should you stay in bed or get up and move? Is it time to see a doctor or should you continue trying to heal on your own? Taking care of a body in pain can oftentimes be very confusing and extremely frustrating, can't it? With so many questions to be answered and even more opinions offered for a solution, it's no wonder that so many people end up doing the opposite of what could actually help in the long run. A good example of this is exercise. For many, the first action they take when the body hurts is to prop themselves on the couch or lie down in bed and remain there for days. Unfortunately, that can be the wrong way to start the healing process.
Keep Moving
Even though your body is in pain, that doesn't mean you should avoid all physical activity. Now, if you are dealing with a serious or acute injury you should stay off your feet and wait for your doctor's OK to get back into the swing of things. But, for many other pain issues, exercise is the way to reduced pain and improved function. Here are some workouts you can engage in that will be easy on the body and safer than others.
- Walking - Walking is a great way to get moving for several reasons. It is easy on the joints, it doesn't require any special equipment (other than a good pair of supportive shoes), and it can be done anywhere. You can even walk from room to room in your home if the weather is bad. But the best thing about walking is that you can control the intensity and distance of this workout.
- Swimming - If you have access to a pool, there is no excuse to not incorporate aquatic exercise into your fitness routine. Even if you don't know how to swim, there are plenty of other movements you can make. Walking from one end to the other, lifting your legs up and down, circling your arms ... the resistance of the water helps to give your entire body a great workout while protecting your joints!
- Stretching, yoga, tai chi - These three forms of movement will help ease muscle tension, improve flexibility, and increase range of motion. They also promote proper alignment which can help alleviate many different pain issues in the body.
Don't Be Confused
Your chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic don't want you to be confused about your pain issues, so if you aren't sure where to start or what to do, come on in to see them! They will be more than happy to answer your questions and get you on the right path to complete healing!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Wheaton, Ill.