Less Movement More Pain

Have you ever been at a party and overheard a group of people that were discussing the amount of pain that they’re in daily? This conversation becomes almost a contest to compare inflammation, mobility restrictions, and who used to be able to do what. Sometimes, at the same party but in a different part of the room there is a different group of people. These people are often talking about their physical activities they do on a weekly basis. They mountain bike, hike, play with their kids, exercise, and some are part of an adult league sport. These people could all be around the same age, but their perspectives are very different. I know this happens because I have seen it at a party my wife and I were at. A few years ago, there were headlines saying things like “Sitting is the new Smoking”. That is quite the stretch and still doesn’t address the issue at hand. In reality, people aren’t sitting anymore than we have over time. While sitting is about the same, our physical activity has decreased dramatically. We have replaced physical labor jobs with offices and technology jobs. It’s reported that Americans are moving 30 minutes less per day. While that number doesn’t seem like a difference maker, keep in mind that it adds up to 182.50 hours every single year. Here are four ways that being less active in your life is causing you increased pain.

Muscle Stiffness and Weakness

When muscles aren’t being actively used, they become stiffer because they’re in a shortened state. This leads to an increase in muscular imbalances that can cause common pain areas like the lower back, hips, and neck. People who move their bodies more are constantly stretching different muscle groups and using muscles in different actions for eccentric (lowering) and concentric (raising), and isolation (no movement) exercises. This forces the stress on the muscle so it can provide better support for joints. 

Physiological Changes

Three of the main physiological changes we’ll focus on are ones that might not be commonly associated with exercise. Insulin sensitivity has gotten a lot of attention and of course following that has been an increase in medications and supplements to help with it. Exercise also does a great job at helping regulating insulin sensitivity. Next is vascular function. This is common with people who develop neuropathy and lose motor control in their feet and upward. Lastly, the sympathetic nervous system becomes more active. This essentially means that your body isn’t able to relax and recover. This leads to many other processes in the body being less efficient and therefore increasing pain throughout the body. 

Musculoskeletal Problems

Your joints are designed to move. When you don’t move, they can’t be optimal and it leads to restricted mobility which in turn increases the pain someone experiences. The lower physical activity level always increase the potential for obesity which creates more daily stress because the joints have to support more weight when standing. 

Many times, people will hesitate strength training out of fear that it will make them hurt. The truth is, training is one of the best things that you can do to reduce your pain level. Some people might not even realize that they’re living in pain because they’re so accustomed to how they feel. One of the biggest things we hear from clients when they start with us is how much better their body feels. This isn’t about a number on the scale or how they look with their shirt off. Those can be bonuses. We’re simply talking about people living in less pain. If you’re tired of living in pain, email us to see the difference that you could have in your life. 

Nick Showman

Showtime Strength & Performance