A heat wave is slated to hit the Twin Cities for an upcoming stretch of days, and not only can the heat be uncomfortable, but it can make a chronic pain condition worse. When the temperatures start to rise, many Minnesotans head to one of the more than 10,000 lakes or a backyard pool to keep cool. But water can also be exactly what you need to fight back against your chronic pain condition. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how water can be a game changer for anyone dealing with a chronic pain condition.

Use Water To Help Combat Chronic Pain

Water has some unique properties that make it extremely beneficial for patients dealing with certain types of chronic pain conditions. For starters, the buoyancy of water reduces the pressure that gravity exerts on it. Most people with chronic back pain or a similar condition have been told that exercise can help to strengthen certain areas of their body and reduce pain symptoms, but regular exercise in and of itself can be painful because of the load you’re asking your body to bear. Traditional exercises like running or lifting weight can be difficult with a chronic pain condition, but some of the stress the body has to disperse when exercising is mitigated by the buoyancy of water, so you should consider taking your workout to the water.

Water can also be extremely helpful for individuals whose pain is limiting their mobility. Not only can we be more flexible in the water because the effects of gravity aren’t working against us, but water acts as a natural resistance band when we try to move in it. Resistance training is its own form of therapy, and you’re working against this resistance every time you move in the water.

Aqua therapy is also beneficial because it can easily be achieved by people of all skill levels. You don’t need to be an avid runner or familiar with the weight room in order to see the benefits of aqua therapy. All you need to do is find a pool or a lake and do some simple movement exercises for 10-20 minutes. If you need help creating a water-based movement routine, we’d be happy to help you develop one!

And finally, water is also beneficial for what it can offer our bodies, especially on hot days. Staying hydrated is key for your body to perform optimally. Hydrated muscles are less likely to strain or spasm during activity, and drinking plenty of fluids will prevent your blood vessels from constricting. When they constrict because you’re dehydrated, blood can’t flow as optimally through out your body, which can deprive key structures of an adequate amount of oxygen-rich blood. You’re not operating at 100 percent if you’re dehydrated, and oftentimes that will only serve to make your chronic pain condition or its symptoms worse.

So let water be your best friend this summer, because it absolutely can help you take control over your chronic pain condition. For more information, or for help developing a chronic pain care routine, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his pain care team today!