“Exercise will make me hurt more!” is a common misconception that I hear a lot. People will tell me, “Joel, I know I’m supposed to be getting stronger. I know I’m supposed to be working out, but it seems like just everyday little things hurt me. For instance, I might be raking my yard, washing my car, going for walks, or just bending over to pick something up, and I hurt my back or I strain some muscle!”
They move on to worry, “How in the world am I supposed to work out and get strong? Isn’t that going to hurt me more?” I can see how they make this logical step. But the truth is just the opposite: to get better, they need to work out hard! If doing little everyday things is starting to bother you, what you SHOULD be doing is working out hard, two or three times a week! Why? When you work out hard, it makes the everyday stuff seems like it’s no big deal. Plus you WILL be getting stronger and you won’t be getting hurt all the time or straining muscles doing simple everyday things.
So if you believe the myth that exercise will make you hurt more, your goal should be to make the transition into working out regularly. If you live in the Roswell, Johns Creek and Alpharetta area, we at Mission Move Physical Therapy would love to help you make that transition, so you can be that strong, durable person you want to be. Please reach out, we would love to talk to you! Call/text: 678-400-0300