People who have jobs that keep them on their feet a lot—say a cashier, a schoolteacher, or a parent of a preschooler—may think they don’t need to exercise. After all, they’re on their feet or on the move all day.
There is a difference, though, between physical activity and exercise. Both are important in dealing with chronic pain.
Activity is a huge category that includes everything from putting away laundry to running a marathon. Exercise is actually a subcategory of activity, but for purposes of this blog, let’s look at them as two separate things.
What do we mean by activity?
Activity, in the broadest sense, means going about your daily life. So chasing a toddler, going shopping, pursuing a hobby, or washing dishes are all activities.
They are important in coping with chronic pain because they can:
- Help you focus on something other than pain.
- Give you a sense of competence and self-sufficiency.
- Keep your body moving and flexible.
Some types of activities may also build physical fitness.
What do we mean by exercise?
Exercise is a structured, planned activity that is designed specifically to build physical fitness. If you do the right type of exercise frequently enough, it can help alleviate pain.
A good exercise program should include:
- Aerobic training. This is the type of activity that helps strengthen your heart and can help relieve anxiety and depression. Examples include brisk walking, riding a bike, and swimming. To get the most benefit, you should be breathing hard enough that it’s a little hard to carry on a conversation.
- Flexibility training. By working to keep your muscles flexible, you may be able to avoid injuries and continue to do daily activities. Example of flexibility training include stretching exercises and yoga. Depending on the type of yoga you’re doing, it may also have aerobic and strength training benefits.
- Strength training. This can help you avoid injury during exercise, keep your weight under control, and stay strong enough to continue daily activities. It becomes especially important as we age because we lose muscle mass with each passing year. Examples of strength training include lifting weights, using resistance bands, and some types of yoga.
Which is most important?
Both are important. Over time, regular aerobic exercise can help reduce pain because it prompts your body to produce feel-good chemicals. Exercise is also important for heart health and weight control, which can help you avoid developing painful conditions like arthritis.
Regular, planned exercise can give you the strength and level of fitness you need to make normal daily activities easier. And being able to take part in daily activities helps you avoid depression, which on its own can aggravate chronic pain.
Studies are now showing that sitting too much is bad for our health, so spending time each day on activities that get you out of your chair—even if they’re not aerobic—is a good thing.
If chronic pain is keeping you from the activities you want and need to do, please contact us at Tulsa Pain. We can help diagnose the problem and find a treatment that lets you remain active and healthy.
Tulsa Pain is a pain management practice in Oklahoma that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. We are dedicated to helping those who are suffering find the relief they deserve. Our team uses a balanced approach by incorporating minimally invasive, outpatient procedures, complementary and alternative medicine, and medication to help patients take control of their pain. Call 918-742-7030 or Request An Appointment to meet with one of our talented pain management specialists today!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
