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Think rest heals joint pain? Think again. Learn how controlled movement and strength training can protect and restore your joints.
Proper and regular movement is not harmful, it is a vital component of maintaining healthy, pain-free, and flexible joints in the long term.
Healthy joints are essential for overall movement and well-being. A common misconception is that complete rest is the best approach after experiencing joint discomfort or a minor injury. While rest can provide temporary relief from pain, prolonged inactivity can lead to muscle atrophy around the joints, reduced flexibility, and increased stiffness, all of which can slow down recovery.
Dr. Lalit Panchal, Senior Consultant, Orthopedic Surgery, SL Raheja Hospital, Mahim shares all you need to know:
Doctors strongly recommend limited and controlled movements to maintain joint functionality. Such activities not only promote general health and well-being but also support joint lubrication by stimulating the secretion of synovial fluid, the natural lubricant that reduces friction between bones. Strength training, particularly exercises targeting the muscles surrounding key joints like the knees, hips, and shoulders, enhances joint stability and reduces the risk of injury.
It is also important to distinguish between different types of joint pain. If the pain is acute caused by an injury or inflammation, short periods of rest, ice application, and anti-inflammatory treatment may be appropriate. However, chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis benefit more from continued movement than from total rest. Over time, gentle exercises can help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and strengthen the affected joints.
Doctors advise maintaining a well-balanced approach that includes both gentle physical activity and periodic rest when necessary. Consulting a medical professional or physiotherapist is essential to customize an exercise program based on individual needs, ensuring it is both safe and effective.
By understanding the role of exercise in healing and joint care, individuals can dispel the myth that rest is always best. In fact, proper and regular movement is not harmful, it is a vital component of maintaining healthy, pain-free, and flexible joints in the long term.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
October 25, 2025, 17:08 IST
