Move More to Hurt Less? Here’s The TRUTH
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 25, 2024
It’s only natural to avoid moving when you’re in pain.
We’ve all been there, gritting our teeth and doing our best to remain still.
After all, the last thing you want to do is make the pain WORSE.
But this is one time when following your instincts could be a BIG mistake. It could take the situation from bad to unbearable.
Let’s take a look at why…
Trust me, I get it.
If you battle chronic pain, exercise is the LAST thing on your mind.
Because when we hurt, we naturally want to rest and avoid movements that could worsen the pain.
That’s why folks who suffer from conditions, like arthritis or sciatica, often find themselves stuck in a sedentary cycle of sitting around and taking dangerous pain medications.
However, new research reveals regular exercise can BUILD up our pain tolerance over time. This means we don’t hurt as much… no pills required.
The reason why it works is actually quite simple.
Moving your body releases endorphins (natural good-feeling hormones), reduces inflammation, distracts you from the pain, and boosts your mental health, allowing you to see the light at the end of the recovery tunnel.
The study included 10,732 participants who were asked to rate their own levels of activity and pain.
The researchers found a clear link between how much folks moved around and their pain tolerance. But just as important, they found that pain levels plummeted in people who started exercising.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should go from a hospital bed to sprinting down the track. Slow and steady wins the race.
If you’re planning on moving MORE so you hurt LESS, that’s fantastic! But there are a few things to keep in mind…
- Warm up properly, making sure to gently stretch areas that bother you.
- Learn the difference between “good” soreness and “bad” pain.
- Listen to warning signals from your body. If it feels like you’re pushing too hard, STOP.
- Combine cardio with strength training to build full-body durability.
- Consider swimming, riding a stationary bike, and other non-load-bearing activities that are gentler on joints and the body.
Exercising through discomfort is not easy. But in the end, the payoff is well worth it. You’ll be trading short-term pain for long-term gains.
P.S. WEIRD ear trick EASES pain (No pills!).
Source:
Årnes AP, Nielsen CS, Stubhaug A, Fjeld MK, Johansen A, Morseth B, et al. (2023) “Longitudinal relationships between habitual physical activity and pain tolerance in the general population.” PLoS ONE 18(5): e0285041. doi. org /10.1371 /journal.pone. 0285041
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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