HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Exercise: Rx for Chronic Pain BY DR. MICHAEL SCHWARTZ
MY ADVICE? Get moving as often as you can. It may be tough to start out, especially if your pain is wearing you down mentally as well as physically. Let the high likelihood that you will feel better motivate you. Start slow and look for a balance of strength and endurance exercises, while mixing in your favorite aerobic activity – even if that means briskly walking around the block. Bring a resistance band along and stop at your local park or ballfield for some planks and monster walks.
The CDC reports that some 15 million Americans suffer from severe joint pain related to osteoarthritis – and half of them report that this pain occurs almost every day. That’s a staggering number of people who may be putting off activities and sports they enjoy either due to feeling drained by the symptoms of their condition or because they fear exercise might actually make their sore shoulder, elbow, back or knee worse.
Many people su-er chronic joint pain without having a specific structural problem or injury. Oftentimes, this pain happens because the muscles around the You may be surprised to joints are too weak discover that your pain and aren’t able to lessens or seems not adequately absorb as distracting as you get physical stress durstrongerandmorefit.But ing activity. The if the pain persists, don’t result is extra preshesitate to make an apsure and strain on pointment with an orthopedic surgeon the joints, which who can perform an in-depth assessmay already be exment of your condition and even order periencing a wearfunction as a prescription for pain from some imaging to get to the bottom of ing of cartilage: the “cushioning” between the moving parts osteoarthritis without making the condi- the pain. They will be able to work with tion worse – provided you have had no you to develop a comprehensive treatof the joint. ment plan to get you through the rough new injuries like a fall. spots as you embark on your new acDON’T BE AFRAID TO MOVE! Exercise improves muscle strength In addition to muscle conditioning, tive and healthier life. and shock absorption, as well as the moderate exercise helps to stimulate n n n functioning of the fast twitch muscles the flow of fluid that provides nutrients Dr. Michael Schwartz is an orthopedic (for sudden, powerful movements) and and proteins that keep the remaining surgeon with White Plains Hospital slow twitch muscles (for sustained en- cartilage healthy. Exercise can also Physician Associates. He specializes ergy to last a long time) needed for strengthen the tendons, which help supin treatment of the shoulder, elbow anaerobic strength and aerobic mus- port the muscles, as long as cross trainand knee, and sees patients in White cle endurance, respectively. Plenty of ing does not overwork or overstrain one Plains and New Rochelle. Please call 914-849research supports moderate physical muscle or tendon grouping. 7897 to make an appointment.
"Once you find the motivation, movement can actually decrease your pain."
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