More Exercise Please!!!
Chronic back pain, neck pain, rotator cuff problems, tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome are common conditions I treat. A common thread with these people is they have often been told to “exercise it to make it stronger”.
One of the first steps to successful rehabilitation is to remove as many irritating activities as possible. For many, the largest insult to the body is the daily “fitness” routine.
I’ll use an example of a chronic low back pain sufferer who sits most of the day at work. They may go to the gym or follow a home exercise program that involves “strengthening their core” with sit-ups and stretching their back by pulling their knees to their chest.
Such patients need to be tested for flexion tolerance before prescribing these exercises. That is, does loading the spine when bent forward cause pain? This test is positive for virtually all low back pain sufferers.
Sit-ups and the stretch described above stress the body into a flexed position. Sit-ups do not strengthen the core they contract one part of the core. Stretching triggers relief from a stretch reflex, but this is short lived, especially when stretching sore, irritated tissues.
Individuals need to be correctly assessed for what exercise provides the least risk and most benefit for recovery. Timing through the rehabilitation process is also critical. All too often, incorrect exercise is started to soon.
The correct steps to rehabilitation are
- Calm and normalize tissue function with laser therapy.
- Activation exercises (not stretch & strengthen) to promote tissue function.
- Appropriate, non-provoking stretch & strengthening exercises.
Most conventional rehabilitation starts with step 3 and is anything but non-provoking.
If you suffer with chronic pain or have recently been injured, you should seek laser rehabilitation. It is the most technologically advanced care you can receive. Don’t risk your health by receiving care or doing things that can lead to chronic pain and disability.
