Would fitness help small ongoing injuries?
Discussion
...over the past few years I have picked up injuries to my lower back, left shoulder and left ankle. All of these are healed now but I still get twinges every so often from them as a constant reminder. It is putting me off exercise but I am not sure if I exercise will make them worse/ cause a recurrence or if starting slowly/gently exercise will help improve them?
Strengthening the supporting muscles will help. I don't mean clean and jerking 400kg ( 
) but things like tai chi or specific physiotherapy-recommended movements will help.
In fact, tai chi is the only exercise I've done where I've improved things (balance, flexibility etc), been able to train despite an injury and not injured myself. You can go at a level that works for you. And the more fit you think you are, the harder you can push in terms of stances. I did have a powerlifter in one of my classes say he struggled with the correct stances because yesterday was legs day so he was basically as mobile as the 80 year olds in the same class.
They might only be partial air squats, but partial air squats for an hour is more than most people can handle.
) but things like tai chi or specific physiotherapy-recommended movements will help.In fact, tai chi is the only exercise I've done where I've improved things (balance, flexibility etc), been able to train despite an injury and not injured myself. You can go at a level that works for you. And the more fit you think you are, the harder you can push in terms of stances. I did have a powerlifter in one of my classes say he struggled with the correct stances because yesterday was legs day so he was basically as mobile as the 80 year olds in the same class.
They might only be partial air squats, but partial air squats for an hour is more than most people can handle.
Edited by Hoofy on Sunday 27th December 13:33
it depends....
Pilates or yoga (if it is more biased towards strong poses than mysticism and excessive stretching) can really help with balance and 'core' strength.
Following on from that I would suggest bodyweight exercise and then lifting heavy things for exercises that are difficult to achieve with bodyweight.
Having got over various long-term injuries (to an extent), I find that I suffer with different injuries these days.
My advice would be not to take up wrestling. I tried that, loved it, and the old injuries came right back and it took me 6 months to recover.
Pilates or yoga (if it is more biased towards strong poses than mysticism and excessive stretching) can really help with balance and 'core' strength.
Following on from that I would suggest bodyweight exercise and then lifting heavy things for exercises that are difficult to achieve with bodyweight.
Having got over various long-term injuries (to an extent), I find that I suffer with different injuries these days.
My advice would be not to take up wrestling. I tried that, loved it, and the old injuries came right back and it took me 6 months to recover.
Frimley111R said:
...over the past few years I have picked up injuries to my lower back, left shoulder and left ankle. All of these are healed now but I still get twinges every so often from them as a constant reminder. It is putting me off exercise but I am not sure if I exercise will make them worse/ cause a recurrence or if starting slowly/gently exercise will help improve them?
If you don't mind me asking are you over-weight? I used to have back pain a while ago (when I was fat), all the time I have been active and slimmer I have not had it. Recently I have let myself go massively and the back pain is back in big way.Exercise will help to loosen muscles and also gets blood flowing to heal injuries (as long as the exercise doesn't aggravate them).
Yoga is good for stretching muscles and strengthening them. Swimming is a good low impact sport for rehabilitation, although be careful if you have shoulder probs.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff