Did you know movement is medicinal?
Exercise is good for you. There’s no debating it, but we don’t always prioritize movement to help lessen persistent aches and pains.
Physical inactivity is unfortunately the norm for many. We work in offices, sit at desks, travel in cars, and have all but made binging the latest TV show a sport. Extensive periods of little movement that we experience daily can cause our muscles to stiffen, bones to weaken, and chronic pain symptoms to worsen over time.
But despite this, taking small steps towards a more active lifestyle can make a big difference, and physical therapy can help manage more severe aches and pains.
Let’s dive in to learn how and why movement can help with reducing your pain…
Sitting Still and Suffering More? Your Couch is Making it Worse
No exercise means more aches and pains! It’s that simple. You might think that you’re relaxing your joints and muscles when you sit on the couch, but if you stay sedentary for prolonged periods, it could be doing more harm than good, especially if you already experience chronic pain.
Take a look at these statistics:
1. In 2021, it was estimated that 20.9% of adults living in the United States were affected by chronic pain. Furthermore, 6.9% of adults in the United States experienced high-impact chronic pain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
2. Chronic pain is a very persistent, debilitating condition, with almost two-thirds (61.4%) of those who experienced chronic pain in 2019 still experiencing the same or worsened chronic pain a year later (National Institute of Health).
3. Around 60-85% of adults globally lead sedentary lives, and accounts for approximately 2 million deaths per year, making physical inactivity one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world (World Health Organization).
If those facts aren’t enough to make you think twice, not exercising and having a lack of physical activity can also cause:
Treat Pain with Exercise: Simple Ways to Add Movement to Your Day
The last thing you probably want to do when you’re struck with chronic pain and lower back pain is get up and exercise, but hear us out: it’s worth it. You don’t need to complete a rigorous high-impact workout regime to reap the benefits.
Let’s take a look at a few simple ways you can add movement to your day to help lessen the pain from inactivity:
These are just a few ways you can add physical activity to your day, but seeing a physical therapist is the best way to accelerate your healing and manage chronic pain. Its important to know that physical therapy treatments include a lot more than exercises; the treatments for chronic pain management include pain neuroscience education, lifestyle change recommendations, manual therapy treatments, biofeedback techniques, and more are all part of a comprehensive evaluation of your specific pain triggers.
In-Home Physical Therapy Treatment for Long-Term Pain Relief
With Luna’s in-home physical therapy model, you get the convenience of professional guidance in the comfort of your own space, making it easier to commit to and benefit from your treatment plan for long-term pain relief. This personalized approach ensures that your course of care is tailored specifically to your needs and pain points. If you’re suffering from constant aches and pains, schedule an appointment with a physical therapist in your area to get moving and start healing.
