How to start exercise with chronic pain

Aug 22

Pain is complex. Pain does not have a one-size-fit-all solution.

While research in chronic pain and persistent pain is still in its infant stages, what we now know is that pain is not a good indication of tissue damage. We can experience pain, physical pain, in the absence of tissue or physical damage, hence many individuals can experience significant, life-altering pain despite the fact that their MRI and CT scans may show healthy tissues.

Pain can be started by an event or incidence — an accident leading to physical tissue damage, surgery, viral infection, one or a continuous cycle of stressful events. In usual circumstances, the body and tissue heals overtime, and pain subsides.

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than 3-6 months. Pain becomes persistent when there are changes at the physiological and neurochemical levels. These changes can be influenced and affected by:

Stress levels
Emotions and mood
Past trauma
Hormonal fluctuations
Environmental factors
Presence or the lack of support
Memories
Anticipation and fear of pain
Diet and nutrition
Sleep
Physical activity or inactivity

This is not an exhaustive list of what can change and affect pain, but it gives you a good idea that a lot of things affect pain, and therefore, we need a lot of various interventions (both pharmaceutical and complementary) to change pain.

As a yoga therapist, what I offer is a complementary and wholistic approach to help people with persistent pain move better, increase stress resilience, and thereby becoming more resilient to pain and symptoms. I cannot claim that yoga therapy is the holy grail for chronic pain, but it does help improve quality of live when you can sleep better, engage in daily activities with more ease, and feel more like yourself.

A great way to start is through the Pain Care Yoga Starter Kit.

I designed this FREE kit after observing the core essential mindful movement, breath awareness, and relaxation practice that prove to be the most effective for my clients with chronic pain.

This kit includes:

Five daily emails with a short (5-10 minute) practice

Five daily emails with a short (5-10 minute) practice
Each day, you will receive either a breath awareness, body awareness, mindful movement, or relaxation practice
Self-inquiry questions to review the effectiveness of each short practice
Pain Care Yoga Starter Kit Journal to track your progress

I recommend sticking to the daily practices for 5 days to feel results. While I understand this can be a lot to ask, I promise that after getting past the hump of the first few days, it will get easier. I highly encourage you to send me an email at [email protected] if you have questions, concerns, or other observations as you go along with this kit!