We have all experienced pain in our lifetime. Fortunately for many of us, this pain is only temporary, but for many others pain is a chronic condition they live with day to day.

Chronic pain (also known as persistent pain) is pain that persists beyond the expected healing time of an injury. Unlike acute pain which is caused by tissue damage, chronic pain is less about structural or tissue damage and more about the sensitivity of the nervous system and ‘non tissue related factors’.

Chronic pain can be caused by ongoing chronic disease such as arthritis, cancer or multiple sclerosis; or as a result of a trauma including surgery, accident or fall. While the long term nature of pain is not always indicative of ongoing disease or damage, the longer pain persists, the more complicated it becomes.

Often when we experience pain we avoid activity or movement in an attempt to not aggravate or cause further symptoms. However, this can become detrimental as reduced activity often leads to physical deconditioning (loss of strength and endurance), withdrawal from recreational activities, reduced ability to perform activities of daily living and an overall decline in quality of life.

A team approach

Since chronic pain is often a complex condition, it is no surprise that a collaborative and holistic treatment approach is often encouraged. Working with your GP, pharmacist, allied health and mental health professional in an open and combined manner can help produce the best results for people living with chronic pain.

When beginning an exercise program it is important to seek the correct advice and support. An Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP) is able to assess, discuss and determine what type and how much exercise is suitable. Finding the most appropriate time of day to move, when pain levels are low or medication is at its optimum are also factors an AEP will consider when developing an exercise program for chronic pain.

Why exercise?

Research has revealed that the prescription of ‘exercise pill’ can be an effective way to reverse the downward cycle of deconditioning and worsening pain. Exercise is important to be able to maintain strength and endurance in order to continue to perform our day to day activities. And while the word strength may come with the idea of lifting or moving heavy things, there are multiple ways in which we can development strength without touching a weight. 

Finding the right environment to exercise plays a large role in the effectiveness of the exercise prescription. For someone experiencing high levels of pain and reduced mobility, aquatic exercise can be the perfect environment to relieve the pressure on muscles and joints, increase range of motion and mobility. Land-based exercise can also be greatly moderated to achieve optimal results without aggravating pain symptoms.

360 Health Clinic is able to offer you both land and aquatic-based exercise therapy for the management of pain across our three locations in Tamworth, Gunnedah and Quirindi. We’re not saying you’ll feel better overnight, but you may find you get more freedom to get back to doing some of the things you love!

Words by Jess Barber