Believe it or not,
regular exercies maybe the new prescription for alleviating
the discomfort of chronic pain. When the benefits of movement
and the drawbacks of inactivity are compared, the advantages
are quite lucid.
When
an individual is overwhelmed by pain, exercise is last recourse
a person may consider; however, it may offer more relief than
not. A regular fitness program represents a versatile arsenal
against the pangs of chronic pain.
For instance,
inactivity may pose a myriad of risks. During inactivity,
all muscles weaken, including the heart. As a result, they
will not work effectively. The susceptibility of elevated
blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol increases. Not
to mention,
inactivity leads to stress, fatigue, and anxiety.
Years
ago, physicians would prescribe bed rest as a means of healing
the body. Today, medical science has found the opposite to
be true. As long as the body is limited to rest, it is more
prone to become de-conditioned —contributing to chronic pain.
On the
contrary, movement offers many physical and health benefits.
When the body is in motion, it triggers the body to release
endorphins. Endorphins are beneficial chemicals that have
the ability to impede pain signals from being transmitted
to the brain. Additionally, endorphins help ease stress and
anxiety.
In the
opinions of certain medical experts, these endorphins act
as natural pain relievers.
Restful sleep is another advantageous to exercising, because
it innately reduces stress hormones from interrupting a good
night’s rest.
Moreover,
activity enhances, the body’s strength. When the body is stronger,
the more relief it can provide for the bones and cartilage.
More importantly, through a regular fitness program, flexibility
is improved, alleviating the propensity of chronic pains and
aches.
