When we're suffering with pain, the temptation can often be to stay still, rest and not move. In some cases, especially with acute pain & injury where there is tissue damage that needs to heal, this can be the right thing to do.... at first.
But when we're dealing with longer term persistent pain, or we are through the initial recovery period, movement is key.
Key benefits of movement for pain symptoms:
✓ Lubricates and loosens joints to keep mobile ✓ Encourages flow of blood and nutrients ✓ Strengthening surrounding muscles supports joints ✓ Stretching surrounding muscles aids in full range of movement ✓ Helps to retrain nervous system so that pain pathways don't become embedded ✓ Helps to avoid compensatory movement patterns developing
Without movement, we risk joints becoming stiff and painful (<- we're supposed to be healing from pain here!). Muscles can start to lose flexibility and strength; potentially destabilising joints, or sometimes resulting in uneven forces being transmitted through joints due to imbalances between muscle groups.
The nervous system also cannot be overlooked. Our bodies are incredibly clever and will more often than not find ways to move in spite of pain and injury. Unfortunately, this can often result in inefficient movement patterns which utilise muscles and joints in compromised ways, and the more we continue with these compromised movement patterns, the more we are affirming to the body that our original, natural movement patterns should be associated with pain. Thus continuing the cycle of avoiding certain movements for fear of the initial pain, and persisting utilising inefficient movement patterns that could put excess pressure on joints and surrounding muscles!
Get in touch for tailored sessions and specialist exercise plans.
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