Exercising with Health Issues

It’s very likely that one of the reasons that you are not currently exercising is due to an injury. What many don’t realize is that the best way to recover is to actually start exercising the injured muscle or joint. Yes this is going to hurt to a point but you will want to exercise under the close supervision of your doctor or therapist.

Whether the injury was a major one or you somehow hurt a muscle group and it just isn’t getting any better. Muscles that don’t feel as though they are healing are feeling tight and sore because they have contracted.

For example if you damage the knee muscle in your knee area known as the meniscus your best course of action is to start working out your knee. Physiotherapy can help get you mobile again. Your therapist will recommend using a stationary bike with a very low resistance to get your movement back again.

Within two to three weeks you will start doing leg exercises and slowly add weights to your ankle. This process may hurt to some extend but you have to get your muscles stretched again. Building up your meniscus is important so that your knee bones don’t start to rub against one another.

If you are dealing with any type of injury then see your doctor for advice first. Exercise slowly and remember to apply ice to the injured area after working out. You should feel your joint or muscle area improve within the first few weeks of moderate exercise. The key is to keep exercising regularly and to slowly build the intensity.

Exercise Tips:

* Do a few stretches before starting your main exercise
* Listen to your body and identify pain as opposed to soreness
* Slowly decrease the intensity level before ending your workout
* Perform stretches again
* Ice the injured area

If you have suffered a major injury then seek medical advice before starting on any type of fitness routine. Just be aware that getting back into exercise can help the injured area recover faster and help you get your mobility back.

Modifying Your Workout Routine

Even if you are feeling really sore or a bump has suddenly developed on your hand you can still exercise by doing different things. Learning how to modify your exercise routine will be very important.

For example you may have hurt your hand so you can’t lift weights today. Instead you can go for a walk or a swim. While walking you can stop and do leg squats, arm circles, neck stretches and hamstring curls. If you normally run change to riding a bike or walking or going for a swim at your local pool. Before you know it you have your 30 minutes of exercise in and can head home for a nice cup of tea or coffee.

For smaller injuries there really is no reason why you can’t switch your routine and exercises that day. For any major injury then icing the area and resting is your best course of action. Any pain or swelling that doesn’t subside in a couple of days should be seen by a medical professional.