Rules To Follow When Exercising with Joint Pain in Vacaville

Exercise is the last thing that people with joint pain in Vacaville would think about. However, it should be the exact opposite because exercise is actually the secret to joint pain relief.

Avoiding exercise can worsen your joint pain and it will weaken your body (i.e., muscles, lungs, and heart) due to lack of physical activity. Lack of exercise can even put you at risk of weight gain, which could hasten joint deterioration and increase pain.

Physical Activity that's safe for your body in Vacaville

If you are scared to exercise because of your joint pain, you should make some considerations to ensure that doing such physical activity can be safe for your body.

1. Seek professional advice before getting started - This depends on the condition of your joint pain. There are exercises that are not safe for you while there are also those that are ideal.
   It is best that you consult with a physical therapist and/or personal trainer first to ensure that you'll have a safe and optimal exercise plan.
2. Variety is key - Exercising with joint pain is no different from any form of exercise program. Having a variety of exercises will ensure that your muscles are challenged for the most comprehensive benefits.
   Physical activities like stretching, yoga and tai chi can gently improve your flexibility and maintain normal joint movement while relieving stiffness. You can also do some Pilates because it is excellent for building your core muscles while cycling can help boost your stamina.
3. Don't skip cardio - Regular aerobic exercise can reduce joint pain while also improving its function. But many people skip this exercise because they fear that it can further stress their joints.
   You can stick to low-impact forms like bicycling, swimming, walking, or water aerobics, but don't skip it entirely.
4. Incorporate strength training - Strength training in your workout routine can help build the muscles supporting your joints, which are ideal for reducing pain and improving function.
   You can use machines, free weights, or even your own body weight to do strength training. For instance, simple body-weight activities like squats can increase your leg strength and boost your ability to perform daily movements, such as climbing the stairs.
5. Warm up correctly - Start gradually and always warm up using dynamic stretches or range-of-motion exercises to help mimic the exercise you have planned for that day.
   You can even apply a heating pad with far-infrared rays (FIR) before working out to relax your joints and muscles, thereby relieving pain. It is recommended to start slow at first then gradually increase the intensity over time.
6. Use ice after workouts - Applying ice to your joints after workout can reduce any swelling and will retain the pain at minimum.
7. It shouldn't hurt - You must focus on challenging yourself physically to reap the most benefits from an exercise. It is best to avoid activities that cause pain, certainly any pain that is worse than what you normally experience.

If you need some professional help with this, you can visit the clinic of Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine in Vacaville, CA. We can help analyze your joint pain and provide you with a treatment plan for it. Through this, you will find relief every time you exercise, thereby making progress to a pain-free body. Just give us a call at (707) 474-5688 and we'll set you up with an appointment today.