How do I exercise with chronic pain?

sesau12014

Anybody wake up in pain? Osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, spondylisthesis, IBS, central nerve pain...... I need tools for motivation.

melissa6771

I have bone on bone arthritis in my left knee, and inflammation and some stenosis in my spine. I have tried all kinds of shots for over a year now. I will tell you this, now that I am exercising and stretching regularly, I feel much better. Better than any of the shots made me feel.

I go to the gym, 2-5 days a week. Do 30 minutes on the bike, 15 minutes of lower body leg weight machines; adduction, abduction, leg extensions and hamstring curls, then I stretch for 10-15 minutes and I feel better than I have in a long time. I stopped doing the leg press for now because of my back. The nerve pain in my back has calmed down substantially.

What, if anything are you doing?

upoffthemat

Water exercise can be good. I find the elliptical helps to ease joint strain, don't push and be happy for any movement you get. Have you talked to a physical therapist about exercises and stretches you can do?

singingflutelady

I lift (can't do cardio) with Crohn's and associated arthritis and body pain
It's annoying and I have limitations but lifting is very important to me so I continue

darrensurrey

I recommend trying something like tai chi. It's a gentle form of exercise and the associated meditation routine (chi kung) may help with your pain, if not in terms of fixing the problem but in terms of being able to "deal" with it.

AmazonMayan

I'm in pain 24/7. Some days it's a dull roar in the background (basically I've gotten used to it after 14 years) and I can do quite a bit - even hiking which I love. Other days (like today) I'm screaming with every movement.

It's a matter of finding what works for you. I wish I had access to a pool because I know I'd exercise daily then. Maybe find a yoga routine that works for you - some will be better/less stress than others. Walking if you're able. Some days I walk so slow that turtles could lap me but I'm still walking. Chair exercises.

DaneshiaThePrincess

I agree with

AmazonMayan wrote: »

I'm in pain 24/7. Some days it's a dull roar in the background (basically I've gotten used to it after 14 years) and I can do quite a bit - even hiking which I love. Other days (like today) I'm screaming with every movement.

It's a matter of finding what works for you. I wish I had access to a pool because I know I'd exercise daily then. Maybe find a yoga routine that works for you - some will be better/less stress than others. Walking if you're able. Some days I walk so slow that turtles could lap me but I'm still walking. Chair exercises.

I agree with you, try, try, and try again & don't give up until you find something that works well for you, I've had chronic pain for several years now & only in the last two have found that yoga, while difficult for a not naturally flexible person like myself not only grew on me but started helping me with my discomfort. Or simply going on long walks, even when I am hurting, I usually listen to some music, push through it, one foot in front of the other until I find my rythm then pretty soon I find I'm focusing more on my sore legs/feet then my pain, and I've accomplished something. I find that for me yoga helps reduce the pain & provides a platform for strength training since usual gym ones can be difficult to say the least (if not dangerous when I'm in pain), and walking helps me cope, redirect my focus, more than anything else : )
Hope you find out what works for you soon!