Workout Or Rest - What's Best To Relieve Aches?

The idea of exercise or physical activity being unsafe or damaging for arthritic and bad back sufferers has been an area of uncertainty and confusion, but now in most cases can be dismissed as a myth or an old wives' tale.

Recent sports science evidence reported significant results where athletes were encouraged to train on graded intensity exercise programmes that allowed the body to adapt to physiological changes that occurred. This prepared the body for greater physical demands and exertions, that over time, promoted peak physical performances within their own capabilities. The same principle can be applied with due considerations to the average person or sports enthusiast.

Physiotherapy in rehabilitation after an injury is focused largely on muscle strength, stability, flexibility and to restore a full range of movement and functions. This is achieved through the beneficial effects of mobilisations, physical activity and exercises that can help to minimise degenerative effects from a condition, oedema, fixations, stiffness and so on and protects the affected area from further ravages or dysfunctions.

There are many causes of arthritis - inflammation of a joint - and it can affect any individual regardless of age or gender. But there are factors that may predispose increasing the likelihood of contracting arthritis such as:

• Familial tendency or hereditary links
• Age - and related changes deteriorate cartilage and reduce its capacity for repair and regeneration as it becomes more brittle
• Obesity - stress from excess body weight affects the load a joint can withstand and leads to undue wear and tear especially at the hips and knees
• History of previous injuries - can lead to abnormalities affecting the smooth surfaces on the ends of bones creating greater friction on movement leading to inflammation
• Occupational demands - requiring standing for long periods or lifting of heavy loads
• Elite sports performance - may accelerate onset of arthritis resulting from excessive demands and exertions beyond tolerance

Additionally, in the treatment of arthritis, these good effects include increased blood flow with reduced inflammations from the pumping of fresh oxygenated blood and the flushing out of deoxygenated blood via the systemic circulation to and from the joint. Evacuation of toxins and metabolic waste through the lymphatic system, and increased body temperature relaxes and reduces tensions in muscles that work the joint thus improving functions, flexibility and range of movements.

Bad back or lower back pains are quite common but in most cases easier to treat and resolve fully or to a satisfactory level, with the exception of genetic spinal abnormalities or severe spinal injuries that may include nerve damage.

Postural modification, increased recreational and physical activity and exercise are prescribed as an integral part of any physiotherapy treatment for the reasons mentioned. They include exercises to increase core strengths of the lumbar and abdominal regions aimed at restoring normal posture and muscle balance, eliminating uneven pull induced into muscles through general weakness, spasm or fatigue resulting in pains that occur even while at rest, sitting or standing and when bending or rotating.

There may be secondary effects such as sciatic nerve irritation from tightening of the gluteals - buttocks - and hamstrings radiating pains down the back of legs, this can be alleviated via specific exercises for the lower limb and hip. In some cases electrotherapy is used to resolve soft tissue injuries or strains from exertions and unexpected physical demands.

In conclusion, the benefits of physical activity and exercise outweigh the risks. For those individuals with arthritis or a bad back who find it uncomfortable to perform any exercises due to increased levels of pain, it's best to seek and follow the advice of your treating health professional.

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