04/16/2023
Trying to exercise when you have pain is a very difficult scenario.
If you don't exercise, you could get even more stiff and weak and gain more weight.
If you do exercise, you could be making your injury/pain worse.
So, what do you do? ASK ME!
Here's why I think I can help you:
Let's use the example of knee pain that needs a total knee replacement. But the doctor won't do it until you're below a certain BMI/weight. (often for good reason- the replacement wont last as long, you might have blood pressure or diabetes issues that need to be under control to tolerate the anesthesia, you'll need to rely on just one leg for a while to cart your whole body around, etc). Patients are often sent to PT to help them exercise more and to help them with pain reduction. There are 3 things that compress a joint. Gravity, Body Weight, and the contraction of muscles that cross over the joint. PT's can help improve the way your muscles act on a joint. Take for example the hamstrings. They start at your hip, run down the back of your leg, and cross over the knee joint. When you contract your hamstring, the muscle tugs at the insertion on the back of your lower leg and causes your knee to bend. Good stuff. But- if that hamstring muscle is too tight, (like, you've got bad flexibility) when the muscle tugs at the insertion to bend the knee, it also COMPRESSES the knee joint together. That compression, that squeezing together of your joint, is causing you wear and tear and pain at your knee. And yes, you can get to working on that right away! Less pain, better mobility, healthier flexible muscles... not only are you less miserable when trying to exercise, but your surgical recovery will be improved! It's worth it to start now. Give it a try! In my "Personalized Action Plan" program we have a 1 on 1 session over video and I teach you the most basic exercises to get you started on your wellness journey. It's where you've got to start. I'm here for you. Go to www.insightintoinjury.com/ActionPlan today!