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There are many of us who suffer from chronic pain. It could be a mild case of arthritis or something more complicated such as fibromyalgia. The last thing most people with chronic pain want to do is move, but exercise can actually ease the pain and the benefits of moving out weight the benefits of inactivity.
I have worked with many chronic pain sufferers and right now I have a client with fibromyalgia. Exercise has eased her pain and she doesn't have to use heating pads at night and she can get through her day without uncomfortable pain. It may seem like exercising is the last thing you want to do, but in the long run it will be the best thing you ever did. Believe me I've seen it in so many of my clients.
Here is why exercise can ease chronic pain from a great article by the Mayo Clinic :
# Help you build strength. The stronger your muscles, the more force and load you'll take off your bones and cartilage and the more relief you'll feel.
# Prompts your body to release endorphins. These chemicals block pain signals from reaching your brain. Endorphins also help alleviate anxiety and depression, conditions that can make chronic pain more difficult to control.
# Increase your flexibility. Joints that can move through their full range of motion are less likely to be plagued with aches and pains.
# Improve your sleep quality. Regular exercise can lower your stress hormones, resulting in better sleep.
# Boost your energy level. Think a walk around the block will wipe you out for the rest of the day? Not likely, and if you do it again tomorrow and the day after, it'll be easier each time. In the long run, regular exercise can actually give you more energy to cope with chronic pain.
# Help you maintain a healthy weight. Exercise burns calories, which can help you drop excess pounds. This will reduce stress on your joints which is another way to improve chronic pain.
# Enhance your mood. Exercise contributes to an overall sense of well-being. It increases blood and oxygen flow to all your tissues, livening up your skin tones and nourishing your brain. These positive effects perpetuate themselves. The better you look and feel, the greater your confidence and motivation to keep exercising.
Make sure you check with your doctor about starting an exercise program and then check around and find a trainer or someone to help you that is experienced in working with chronic pain clients.
For more information, visit www.fitdivas.com
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