CHRONIC PAIN & THE BENEFITS OF EXERCISE

Exercise is Medicine

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• Motion is like a lotion for your aches and pains

• Joints that move result in more lubrication

• Muscles get stronger and won't fatigue as easily

• Benefits: less stress and more relaxation

• Reduced flare ups

• Improved moods

• Less anxiety and depression

• Body produces endorphins that relieve pain

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Tips

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• Choose an exercise that you enjoy

• Find someone to be your exercise buddy

• Consider some aerobic exercise

• Acknowledge that some discomfort with exercise is acceptable

• Avoid exercise which causes pain and discomfort that increases going up and down legs or arms

• Start slowly

• Be consistent

• Understand that you will have some good days and some not to good days

• Pace yourself with increasing exercise volume and then intensity.

• Find an accredited program. Continue to check back to this site for recommendations.