The Importance of Exercising When You Have Pain

The Importance of Exercising When You Have Pain

Pain is a signal your body sends when there's an issue, either from a chronic problem or an acute injury. When you feel pain, you likely don't want to do anything but kick back and relax until it resolves.

However, that could be the worst thing you can do. Sitting around exacerbates your pain, especially related to a muscle injury or spine condition.

Dr. Shachi Patel and the Delmarva Pain and Spine Center team understand how crucial it is to find a treatment for your pain. Dr. Patel offers several effective treatments to ease your pain and provides you with exercises to help alleviate discomfort naturally.

Types of pain

Pain isn't something anyone hopes for, but it's an unfortunate part of life. Various types of pain can happen, including sudden or pain that lasts several weeks to months.

When you have pain, it's a sensation that comes from your nerves, which sends a signal to your brain. That's the reason pain exists. There are several different forms of pain, which include the following:

Somatic pain and visceral pain are types of nociceptive pain. Somatic pain results from damaged nerves in your tissues, while visceral pain happens to your internal organs.

You can manage most forms of pain through conservative measures like exercise, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatories.

How exercising helps ease pain

Exercise is one of the first treatments Dr. Patel suggests when you have pain. Exercise helps to increase your pain tolerance while reducing feelings of pain or discomfort during and after physical activity.

Endorphins are feel-good hormones that your body releases during times of stress or significant pain. Your brain secretes endorphins to block your pain receptors and increase a sense of well-being.

When your brain releases endorphins, they also stimulate your opioid receptors, which causes an analgesic effect for a short period.

Even when you're in pain, regular exercise significantly helps your symptoms through endorphins. They counteract your pain for several hours during and after your activities.

Types of exercise for pain

Depending on your type of pain, Dr. Patel recommends several forms of exercise to increase your functionality and promote healing in your body. A few of the kinds of activities she recommends include:

Cardio

Cardio is a great way to get your endorphins to manage different pain types. You can take a walk, go swimming, or try aerobics to get some exercise without having to spend hours at the gym.

Stretching

Stretching helps promote flexibility, range-of-motion, and circulation to your muscles and joints. Stretching is essential before exercise and after to keep your body from getting sore and stiff. Stretch various body areas, including your back and neck, to help with discomfort.

Strength training

Building strength in your body is a great way to combat pain. Strengthening your muscles not only helps deal with current pain but can prevent future issues from occurring. Start slow with strength training and slowly build muscle for the best outcome.

Try using deep breathing exercises and visualization to promote healing and a calm mindset while dealing with pain. You can also practice relaxation exercises to help deal with acute or chronic pain. These exercises relax your body and help you ease your mind.

When to listen to your body

Although exercise is a great way to manage your pain symptoms, it's not always the best idea. You should always listen to your body so you don't push yourself too hard and cause more harm than good.

When you have pain, light exercise, and range-of-motion activities are crucial to your recovery. However, there's such a thing as too much too soon.

Before you exercise, when you have pain, talk to Dr. Patel about the exercises you should be doing and how often. She advises you on safe ways to get in movement and physical activity without causing more damage or discomfort.

While you're exercising, it's crucial that you listen to your body. Your body is likely telling you something is off, so take a break and try something different that doesn't hurt. If you feel more pain making certain motions, don't try to push through the discomfort.

If you're unsure and think you may have suffered an injury or your pain is worsening, contact Dr. Patel to discuss the next steps.

Call our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel for pain management, or book an appointment on the website.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Nerve Blocks for Neuropathy Pain: What to Expect

Nerve Blocks for Neuropathy Pain: What to Expect

Neuropathy is a painful condition of the nerves that may be hard to diagnose. Nerve blocks are both diagnostic and provide pain relief for neuropathy. Read on to learn more about nerve blocks and what to expect at your appointment.

Here’s How to Prepare for Your Superion Procedure

Spinal stenosis is a problem that causes compression of the nerves from narrowing of the spinal canal – but is invasive surgery the only treatment option? Read on to discover how the minimally invasive Superion™ procedure works and how to prepare.
Understanding Your Trigger Points

Understanding Your Trigger Points

Have you ever had a "knot" in your extremely painful muscle? It could be a trigger point that causes severe musculoskeletal pain. Read on to learn more about trigger points and how to achieve long-term relief.
What is NAD+ and Why is it So Popular?

What is NAD+ and Why is it So Popular?

NAD+ is one of those things you've heard of but don't know precisely what it does or why you need it. Keep reading to learn more about NAD+, its benefits, and why it's taking the medical industry by storm.
Does Sciatica Resolve On Its Own?

Does Sciatica Resolve On Its Own?

Sciatica is a painful back condition that can strike suddenly and make it hard to get your normal activities done – but do you need treatment? Read on to discover if sciatica resolves independently or if you need to seek expert care.