Calgary Physio

Tips for Exercising When You Have Pain

One of the most challenging aspects of living with an injury or chronic pain is how it can quickly impact your exercise routine.

If you have been working towards a fitness or weight goal, this can be extremely demoralizing.

Here are a few tips from our Calgary Physio team that can help to keep you on track while you recover.

Staying as active as possible during this time can mean you’re in the best position to reach your goals again once your injury has healed.

1. Try a new activity.

When injury strikes, it can be tempting to stop exercising altogether and rest while you recover. An injury can be frustrating, but it can also be an opportunity to try out a different sport.

If you’re a runner with an ankle injury, you can keep up your fitness by swimming instead.

Cycling can be an excellent option for people for dealing with knee pain, and if you’re a swimmer with shoulder pain, maybe switch to running for a while. Check with your physiotherapist for some ideas to keep you moving.

2. Exercise within your limits.

If you’re getting pain at 5km, this doesn’t always mean you should give up running altogether.

Your physiotherapist can help you monitor your symptoms carefully and plan an exercise routine that keeps your fitness up while  reducing symptom flare-ups.

Staying as active as possible throughout your recovery can also mean that you a better placed to get back to your best performance once symptoms reside.