Managing Pain and Injuries

Pain and injuries can be very frustrating and become common especially as we age.

But if you think this means you should stop exercising, think again!

Some women going through menopause may experience unexplained muscular skeletal aches and joint pain which is likely due to the drop in oestrogen levels. 

Oestrogen affects cartilage which is the connective tissue in joints and can also play a part in inflammation and pain. 

Common areas of complaint are shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and back.

Exercise can be a powerful tool as it can reduce pain, improve healing and stimulate muscle growth. Movement helps increase the blood flow which aids the healing process.

If you are dealing with an injury, remember the rest of your body can exercise and you can rehab the injured area and modify exercises. 

Continue to train and maintain all other movement patterns and forms of exercise. 

“The benefits of movement far outweigh doing nothing.”

“My doctor/healthcare professional has told me to stop exercising” AAARGH!!!

This drives me insane as in most cases I believe this is bad advice. 

What happens when you stop exercising?

When you stop exercising you begin to lose muscle, joints become stiffer and there is a reduction of blood flow to the effected area. This now makes the rest of the body compromised - not to mention what this can do to your mental wellbeing. 

It is so important to keep moving, staying as strong as you can to help assist the injured area.

Many studies show that exercising one side of the body or unilaterally can strengthen the injured side. This is known as Cross-Education.

“Strength training of the free limb may assist in maintaining the functional capacity of an immobilised limb via cross education of strength, potentially enhancing recovery outcomes following injury.”

Check out this research on Science Direct if you want to learn more.   

If you have a chronic injury that has been with you for some time, seek professional advice. 

But don’t let this stop you from all the benefits of regular exercise. 

At Foundation Fitness and Wellbeing we understand how to manage pain and injuries and our trainers are skilled at modifying exercises where needed.

We are always willing to work together with your healthcare professional to include your rehabilitation exercises into your program. 

 Always remember, Movement is Medicine.