The Importance of Exercise with RSD
Growing up, many children engage in sports. This is excellent for building teamwork, commitment, discipline, and for teaching life skills that children can take with them for the rest of their lives. As people grow older, exercise starts to fall by the wayside. This contributes to the rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease that are seen in this country. Sadly, some people stop exercising because of severe pain associated with this activity. Chronic pain has become a major burden on the modern healthcare system and one of the most serious examples of this is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Individuals with this disease are often unable to get out of bed in the morning because of severe pain, let alone exercise and engaging in the activities that they enjoy. It is important for everyone, including those who live with chronic pain, to exercise on a regular basis. Some of the statistics that have been published by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) include:
- Less than a third of children engage in vigorous physical activity every day
- Less than 5 percent of adults are physically active on a daily basis
- More than 80 percent of adults and children fail to meet the suggested guidelines for exercise
- Adults spend close to 8 hours per day in front of a screen
- Lack of exercise can contribute to multiple serious health conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity
In addition to the cardiovascular benefits that regular exercise can provide, it can also help people who struggle with RSD. How is this the case and what are some of the ways that exercise can help people manage their symptoms?
The Benefits of Exercise with RSD
For those who may not know, RSD is a serious, painful disease that is often triggered by a traumatic accident. While the circumstances surrounding the pathophysiology of this disease are still under investigation, there is evidence to show that it is an inflammatory disease that can damage the nerves in one or more limbs, leading to intense pain that can make it difficult to move. Because of this, many people who have been diagnosed with CRPS have difficulty exercising; however, a recent research study was published demonstrating that exercise should be the first-line treatment of this disease. Research has found that individuals with RSD can develop something called kinesophobia, or fear of movement. It is important for people with chronic pain to meet with a physical or occupational therapist regularly to try and overcome this fear. Examples of beneficial exercises include:
- Elevation of the affected limb
- Regular massage therapy of the affected area
- Contrast baths
- Isometric exercises
- Range of motion exercises
- Electrical nerve stimulation
Over time, the goal of physical therapy is to allow people to use the affected area to perform their activities of daily living. Exercises are a crucial part of making sure this happens. One of the major benefits of this program is to help people find ways to manage their symptoms that do not involve the use of opioid or narcotic medications. This can lead to a dramatic improvement in the individual’s and their family’s quality of life.
Ultimately, even though it can be painful, it is essential for people who live with RSD to make an effort to remain physically active. The research has shown that there are multiple significant benefits that RSD can bring to the symptomatic management of this disease. Furthermore, it is also helpful to meet with a compassionate RSD attorney in Sacramento. It is important to explore the circumstances surrounding the diagnosis because everyone deserves to have all of the information available to them.
Related Articles by RSD Lawyer, Ed Smith
Contact an Experienced RSD Attorney in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, an RSD Lawyer in Sacramento. If someone you care about needs help coping with a diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, please call me at 916-382-0693. I am available to provide free and friendly legal advice.
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Image Citation: Pixabay hosted the picture at the beginning of this page. The CC0 Creative Commons License has granted permission to reproduce it here.
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