Can I Still Exercise If I’m Living With Arthritis Pain?

When living with the daily pain caused by arthritis, many people wonder if exercise will worsen their pain or cause further joint damage. The answer might surprise you: regular exercise is not only safe for most people with arthritis, but can be essential for managing this condition effectively.

Here’s what to know about exercising with arthritis:

• Exercise can reduce arthritis pain and improve joint function
• Movement helps maintain muscle strength and prevents stiffness
• Low-impact activities are typically safest for arthritic joints
• Proper pacing and technique help prevent exercise-related injury
• Professional guidance ensures you exercise safely and effectively

At Pain Control Associates, LLC, our specialists understand the unique challenges arthritis and other chronic pain conditions present. Our mission is to improve your quality of life through individualized treatment plans that may include medication management, physical therapy, and other proven approaches.

Why Arthritis Makes Exercise Feel More Difficult

Arthritis affects your joints in several ways that can make physical activity challenging. Joint inflammation can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness that naturally makes you want to move less. Or, when cartilage breaks down, bones may rub together during movement and cause discomfort.

The impacted pain-movement cycle often becomes problematic. When joints hurt, movement can increase pain temporarily. This leads many people with arthritis to reduce their activity levels significantly. However, decreased movement actually worsens the problem over time.

When you move less:

• Muscles around affected joints weaken
• Joint stiffness increases
• Range of motion decreases
• Simple daily activities become more difficult
• Overall fitness and energy levels decline

When you have constant pain, your body’s natural response is to avoid activities that might increase discomfort. Unfortunately, this protective mechanism can end up doing more harm than good for those with arthritis.

Should You Exercise with Arthritis? The Benefits Are Clear

Evidence supports regular exercise for arthritis management. Research shows that regular physical activity can provide both immediate and long-term benefits for people with joint pain.

Physical benefits may include:

• Reduced joint pain and stiffness
• Increased muscle strength around affected joints
• Better range of motion and flexibility
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Better sleep quality

Potential mental health benefits include:

• Decreased anxiety and depression
• Improved mood and sense of well-being
• Increased energy levels

Regular stretching and exercise can decrease pain and increase functionality when approached correctly. The key is to gradually increase your physical activity despite a certain level of discomfort.

Can Exercise Harm Your Arthritis?

While immediate pain responses may make it seem as though exercise will make arthritis and its symptoms worse, appropriate and correctly performed physical activity does not cause or worsen arthritis in most people. Moderate exercise can greatly benefit joint health by strengthening the muscles that support your joints, maintaining flexibility, and helping control inflammation.

However, certain precautions are important:

• Avoid high-impact activities that will stress already damaged joints
• Avoid intense exercise during acute flare-ups when inflammation is severe
• Start slowly and increase intensity gradually
• Listen to your body and rest when needed
• Work with healthcare professionals to develop a safe routine

At Pain Control Associates, LLC, we can work with you to create a pain management plan that helps you live well with arthritis, including exercise types and schedules to ensure you get the optimal amount of movement in your routine.

Moving Forward With Confidence

Living with arthritis doesn’t mean being relegated to a sedentary lifestyle. The body is designed to move, and regular activity can help prevent the muscle weakness and joint stiffness that make daily tasks increasingly difficult. Proper guidance and a gradual approach can make exercise a powerful tool for managing pain and maintaining independence.

Take the next step toward better pain management. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you stay active while managing your arthritis pain effectively.