4 Tips for Exercising with Chronic Pain

Exercising is beneficial to your overall physical and mental health. Walking, running, biking, weights, and other types of exercise can provide a number of health benefits, including improved ability to sleep, reduce your risk of heart disease, help regulate blood sugar and insulin levels, and more. However, chronic pain can make it difficult to engage in these helpful and healthy activities. Exercising with chronic pain can be a nuisance. Finding ways to overcome that issue will help you get back on track.

Despite being a pain in the neck (sometimes literally), exercising with chronic pain is still doable. Here are some different tips you can try to make things a little easier.

Do It Daily

First, try not to miss a day of exercise. Despite it being difficult at first, it can be more difficult to start again after stopping for some time.

Start Slow

You don’t need to start your workouts by doing high intensity. Start slowly and then gradually increase your intensity.

No Need To Keep Up

If you’re taking exercise classes, don’t feel like you have to keep up with everyone else in the class. Move at your own pace. Not everyone is participating at the same level you are at, and if you go too hard, you could make things worse.  So take it easy and at your own pace.

Try Low-Intensity Exercises

Sprinting or deadlifting is not necessary if you’re experiencing chronic pain. Other exercises such as yoga, swimming, and pilates, are effective ways to exercise without going too overboard. Low-intensity exercises are an easy way to get back into your routine.

Going too hard too fast can be dangerous, and if you’re experiencing chronic pain, it could even slow you down more. Follow these tips for exercising with chronic pain and you should have an easier time of it. If you need relief, Commonwealth Spine & Pain Specialists can help. Visit us online to request an appointment with us and start your journey to a pain-free life!