If you have chronic pain, you’ve probably been told that one of the best solutions is exercising. Getting outside and putting in the work is seen as a cure-all. 

But what if you’re not really in a fit state to be exercising because of the discomfort you feel? What then? 

That’s where this post could help. It goes through what to do when you experience chronic pain while exercising. Usually, it’s just a case of getting the ball rolling. 

Choose Low-Impact Activities

The best place to start is with low-impact activities. Don’t try to become a marathon runner or a mountaineer overnight. 

Cycling and swimming are generally considered “low impact”, meaning they won’t rattle your joints. Aerobics and yoga are also options, as is using a reformer system. 

These options can help you get the blood pumping and build your endurance without putting extreme performance demands on your body. 

Explore Healthcare Alternatives

At the same time, it’s a good idea to explore various healthcare alternatives. Getting a cannabis prescription or working with an acupuncturist can aid you as you return to exercise. 

Alternative healthcare is often more sustainable than conventional medicine over the long term. Regular massages or taking supplements is something you can do for years without harm, whereas pain medications could be problematic. 

Modify Your Exercises

You also want to modify your exercises for greater comfort. If a different form helps you, then use it. 

People living with chronic pain often prefer to use resistance bands that provide gentler input. They also use seated versions of exercises where possible. 

You can try experimenting with these alone or with a trainer. A professional can guide you on the best technique and show you how to modify it, depending on your requirements, without adopting an unsafe form. 

Try Heat Or Cold Therapy

Another approach is to use heat or cold therapy before or after exercise. Many people find that they can exercise better if they use the sauna or a cold plunge around the time they work out or train. 

These therapies are highly effective because they change how the body responds to pain. They can also improve the effectiveness of some prescribed medications when used chronically. 

Use The Mind-Body Connection

Another approach is to use the mind-body connection. This can reduce pain perception and cut stress significantly, making exercise more manageable long-term. 

Even activities like tai chi have been shown to help with this. The idea is to break the connection between the pain in the body and the experience in the mind, similar to tinnitus treatment. While these approaches aren’t perfect, they can be helpful and lead to significant reductions in pain for a lot of people. 

Add Plenty Of Rest Days

Finally, you’ll want to ensure that you’re adding plenty of rest days to your routine. These help your body recover from exercise and allow it to adjust to intense workouts. 

If you have chronic pain, you may find that it gets worse on rest days at the start before getting better. Therefore, you might want to try things like a sauna or cold plunge on these days.