Should I Exercise in Pain?


It is okay to push into some discomfort during your exercise programme. This is because we are pushing the muscles and soft tissues to adapt to a new stress or strain. Aim to avoid causing pain that does not settle back to baseline within 24 hours. Pain does not mean you have caused damage; it is often your body letting you know that you have challenged it.


When exercising with an injury, it is often thought that pain equals harm. This is not necessarily true.We often use a 0-10 scale to grade how bad the pain is that you are experiencing.


This graphic shows this as a traffic light system.When you are completing your exercises consider how the pain feels.


0-3 or green is regarded as a safe zone and activity should continue.


4-5 or orange is an acceptable level of discomfort to be feeling when exercising and is safe to continue with and should settle within 24 hours of stopping.


6-10 or the red zone is seen as too much and you should think about modifying the exercise, reducing the weight being used or avoiding that exercise all together and trying again the next day.


Staying active during injury will not do harm, it is important to be aware of what is considered reasonable. If the worsening pain persists for a few days after exercise please consult your physiotherapist or healthcare professional.


What if I Have a Flare Up?

Flare ups of pain are a common part of the recovery process. Be reassured, this is a temporary increase in pain that will often improve with rest and by gradually resuming your activities. Using ice packs or a warm pack can help to reduce pain and inflammation. Try these, covered in a thin towel for 15 minutes, a few times per day. Sometimes you may need pain relief to help your pain to settle. You should discuss this with your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Can I exercise with arthritis?

Yes – Exercise has been proven to help reduce the pain of arthritis and improve function and strengthen the muscles that protect and support the joints.
Exercise does not have to be vigorous to produce benefits. Even gentle stretching can improve balance and help keep the joints moving, and simple walking can dramatically improve fitness and reduce joint pain. Click Here for more information about exercise and arthritis.
Start slowly and build up both the amount and intensity of what you do and don’t worry if it’s sore to begin with – you won’t be damaging your joints.
No one type of exercise is proven to be more effective than others so just pick an exercise you enjoy, that you can afford to maintain in the long-term and that fits in with your daily schedule.

Will exercise hurt or harm my joints?

No – When you first start exercise, you may feel a temporary increase in discomfort and stiffness. This is normal and will usually settle after a day or so. The pain after exercise will eventually become less if you keep going. Exercise will not do any harm to your joints.
If you having an episode where your joints are more painful and swollen, it is still important to so some exercise although maybe slightly reduce the amount for a short period or focus on exercising the other areas of the body until things settle again.

Will losing weight help my joint pains?

Yes – If you’re overweight, then losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference to your joint pains irrespective of the type of problem or arthritis you have.  This is especially beneficial for the weight-bearing joints – Hips, knees, back and feet.
Click Here to start the NHS weight loss plan today.
For further help and support with weight loss and diet, visit Essex Wellbeing Service and self-refer.

Is clicking of my joints a sign of arthritis?

No – Joint clicking and cracking is entirely normal and does not usually cause any pain.  It is very common in all ages and is not a sign of arthritis.
The cause for joint clicking is still not fully understood although the most likely reasons are gasses escaping from inside the joint or ligaments and tendons flicking over the joint.  Neither of these causes result in any joint damage.

How is arthritis diagnosed?

Your GP or healthcare professional will be able to provide a diagnosis based on your history, physical examination and diagnostic tests such as blood tests and X-rays.
Early diagnosis is important for successful treatment outcomes, so if you feel you may have one of these types of multiple joint pain and your symptoms are persisting, visit your GP.

Is there a cure for my arthritis?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for most types of arthritis as these are recognised as long-term conditions.  
However, there is hope as with the right treatment plan and your positive approach to managing your arthritis, you can take control of your condition and still live a full and active life.
Many treatments can slow arthritis down including making lifestyle changes to improve general health, activity levels and weight control.

Will I need surgery for my arthritis?

Most people with arthritis will never need surgery.
However, surgery can help in some cases when other treatments have failed to help reduce your pain and improve your mobility.
Click Here to find out about the common types of surgery for people with arthritis if necessary.
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