Exercise: A Natural Painkiller
12 March 2008There’s a saying the goes, “The pain in the pinkie finger is felt by the whole body”. It is quite true because if we feel pain we can not function normally and our day-to-day work and activities are very much affected. Pain in the different parts of our body has corresponding treatments and medications and you will find out together with your doctor what works best for you. The downside of this is that pain medication is almost always addictive or habit-forming.
As for a natural painkiller, doctors recommend to get going and moving. Talk to your doctor as to what exercises are good for you and those that too much. The key to this is not to over exert yourself. The following are the benefits of exercise with regard to pain management:
1. Eliminates discomfort
Pain sufferers who exercise moderately have experience fewer and less severe pain than those who are inactive. It also leads to faster recovery and less discomfort than staying in bed. Exercise helps by boosting brain chemicals known to inhibit pain like dopamine and serotonin.
2. Combats low mood
Feeling down and blue is a major side effect of any pain problem. Exercise is known to improve ones mood and it will help you keep your mind off the pain.
3. Promotes better sleep
Lack of sleep can worsen pain, even modest loss of sleep increases sensitivity to pain the next day by up to 32%. Exercise will help your body and mind relax promoting a good night’s sleep.
4. Prevents a downward spiral
The less you use your muscles and bones, the more vulnerable they become to injuries and weakness. Preventing this decline is especially important if you are suffering from arthritis of the knee. Exercise will keep the muscles strong, healthy and supports better.
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