Low Impact Exercise

 

Almost everyone benefits from regular exercise, regardless of age, gender, or condition. However, not every type of exercise is beneficial for everybody. For the more sensitive, it's important to incorporate low impact exercises to keep active while avoiding pain and joint damage. At Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we regularly help our Nitro, WV, patients design low impact exercise plans optimally suited to their needs.

Low Impact Exercise vs. High Impact Exercise

Low impact exercises are those that are gentle on the joints. High impact exercises, on the other hand, involve heavy pressure exerted on the joints, such as when running or jumping. For those with pain or weak joints, low impact exercises are the healthiest way to stay active. There are plenty of different low impact exercises to choose from, from aerobics to yoga. If you're not sure what to choose, have a discussion with your chiropractor.

Who should do low impact exercises?

Many different types of people can benefit from low impact exercises, even healthy individuals! At Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center, we advise our Nitro, WV, patients with chronic illnesses, injuries, and those who are rehabilitating from surgery to engage in these types of exercises. Therapeutic exercise is recommended for people experiencing musculoskeletal pain. Low impact is especially valuable for those with arthritis since their cartilage is worn away in their joints, and higher impact exercises can be very painful. Other conditions benefiting from low impact exercise include asthma, heart conditions, fibromyalgia, pregnancy, and general aging.

How to Select Low Impact Exercises

All low impact exercises are suitable for most people. There's a wide variety, which means you can probably find a routine that suits you. If you're having a hard time or a medical professional has advised you against devising your own workouts, always feel free to reach out to your doctor to discuss options and get new ideas. Some common low impact exercise ideas include aerobics, water aerobics, power walking, swimming, working with therapeutic bands, body weight exercises, and more.  You can choose exercises according to specific parts of your body you'd like to strengthen, or just select for overall health and wellness.

If you'd like to learn more about low impact exercise and its benefits, reach out to Dr. J Chiropractic and Wellness Center today. Our staff is here to answer questions and tell you more about how Dr. J's therapeutic exercise programs can help you improve your strength, health, and mobility. They'll also be able to set you up with an initial consultation. We look forward to hearing from you!