Continuing our Workout Wednesday 5 part series on Arthritis & Exercise, our fourth most common question is: What should I do if I have pain during exercise? With any type of exercise, it is normal to have some stiffness and muscle soreness after a workout. It may take 6 to 8 weeks for your joints to get used to your new activity level, but sticking with your activity program will result in long-term pain relief. Here are a few steps to take to manage pain: - Modify your workouts to best fit your needs until you feel you have built up enough strength to progress. - Try out different types of exercises that may cause less pain- this is all about trial and error! - Always ensure you do a warm up and cool down before and after each workouts. Just like staring a car on a cold winter day, our bodies need to get ready for what is to come! - Workout at a comfortable pace, make sure to slow down or take a break if needed - Ensure you have comfortable shoes that provide good support Be sure to visit with your doctor if: - Pain that is sharp, stabbing, and constant. - Pain that causes you to limp. - Pain that lasts more than 2 hours after exercise or gets worse at night. - Pain or swelling that does not get better with rest, medication, or hot or cold packs. - Large increases in swelling or your joints feel โhotโ or are red. In conclusion, do what is right for YOU and monitor your pain vs uncomfortability. Stay tuned for next weeks question: Why should I continue to exercise if I have arthritis?