Should I Rest When I'm in Pain?
This is the first of our blog series surrounding pain management. We are a group of health professionals including Physios, Massage Therapists and Personal Trainers wanting to answer your common questions on pain and dispel any myths surrounding pain and exercise.
One of the most popular questions we are asked at the clinic is: Should I rest when I'm in pain?
Contrary to popular belief, resting when you're in pain isn't always the best course of action. While it may seem counterintuitive, remaining active can actually be beneficial. Movement helps maintain circulation, reduces stiffness, and promotes overall well-being. At Back2Front, we encourage our clients to stay active with tailored activities that match their pain levels.
When attending a GP surgery, you may hear the words you need to rest. But what does that mean? To some, this may be taken as putting your feet up and lying flat? In certain situations this may be required i.e. following surgery, fracture etc, but for the majority of people in pain, the words should be rest from the activities that cause you pain. This is known as optimal loading (discussed in a latter blog post).
Avoiding complete rest can prevent the weakening of muscles and joints, which can exacerbate pain and prolong recovery. Instead, engage in gentle exercises and low-impact activities that keep you moving without causing further harm until we are ready to progress to engaging in the activities you love.
Always listen to your body and modify your activities as needed. For example, if running causes pain, try walking or swimming instead. Most exercise and activities can be modified which will help with your recovery process.
Remaining active also has mental health benefits, reducing stress and improving mood. At Back2Front, our services, such as Pilates classes and Fit4Life programs, are designed to help you stay active safely, even when experiencing pain. Remember, movement is medicine!
If you are experiencing pain and discomfort, it is best to be assessed by a health professional who can guide you on what activity is safe for you to complete to aid your recovery.
You can book online with us by using the following link:
Check out next week's blog if you are curious about whether all pain is bad?
I've just had 3 days of rest as not only am I in discomfort I'm so very tired but today I knew I was going to have a better day woke up feeling as though I could manage this discomfort and I will do a few excercise so I can get out