Ask the Doctors | September 2004

Ask the Doctors
By Drs. Jeff, Craig and Marissa

Question: My low back and knees are hurting me, what should I do?

Answer: Sore and stiff joints are a common occurrence with any fitness program, BUT there are certain things you can do to limit or prevent these nagging problems. We know these ailments can make your workouts rather frustrating, but please understand that the wrong way to deal with the problem is by giving up! Lack of motion and inactivity will, in fact, make the problem worse. Most irritated or damaged joints need proper strengthening and stabilizing to heal and prevent future injuries.

There are many different factors that can cause joint irritation and inflammation. Poor posture at work, improper exercise techniques, lack of stretching, excess body weight and even improper nutrition can all put increased stress on your joints. So ask yourself, "is there something in particular I'm doing to cause irritation to my knee/back?" If so, try changing that activity first while maintaining your Curves exercise routine. If you are someone that has been living a sedentary lifestyle, beginning a new workout regimen can cause irritation to your joints because your body is not used to it. More often than not, pain is an indication of a weakened joint. The best thing for you is to strengthen these joints through exercise! But, the key is to ensure that you are utilizing the machines safely and effectively. Your solution could be as simple as modifying your workout, or temporarily avoiding a specific machine until your injury has healed. For assistance with your specific condition, talk to one of our helpful and knowledgeable staff members. One of the most important modalities you can use to assist your recovery is ICE. It's a natural way of decreasing inflammation without the side effects of oral anti-inflammatory medications. After your workout, apply ice to your specific area of irritation. Leave the ice on until you've reached local numbness (approx. 15-20 minutes), remove the ice for about 30 minutes, and then reapply. Continue this process until the irritation and/or inflammation has resided.

In practice, and at Curves, we've come to realize that the most common reason for injury is lack of stretching post workout, so talk to your trainer and make sure you are stretching properly and completely. Don't give up and keep up the hard work. You are on the right road to success!