Health

5 Ways Exercise Can Help Reduce Chronic Pain and Its Symptoms

Published

3 years ago

February 22, 2022

If you have chronic pain, you’re not alone. According to the CDC, approximately 50 million adults deal with chronic pain. Sometimes, all you want to do is lie in bed when you have chronic pain. However, while this can be tempting, it can worsen the problem.

Although doctors used to prescribe bed rest for chronic pain conditions, several studies have shown that people who work out are able to manage their pain much better than others.

Ways Exercises Can Help Manage Chronic Pain

Reduces stiffness

Chronic pain can make you to lie down all day. However, staying in one position for several hours can cause your body to stiffen. This is a serious problem that comes with chronic pain conditions. Fortunately, being active regularly can help to reduce this stiffness and even make moving easier.

It keeps your muscles strong and enables easy joint movement

Your body needs strong muscles that can support your body and bones better, especially if you’re dealing with chronic back pain. In such a case, your spine will need help to support your weight and cushion your movements. Therefore, you should exercise enough to keep your back and muscles in good condition.

Remember, joints are also mainly affected by pain, but exercising them can help reduce the pain. Doing regular strength training exercises will help to keep your muscles strong and prepare your body for day-to-day activities.

However, before you start your strength training workouts, you should seek the help of an online strength coach to help you develop a personalized exercise program.

Exercise is good for mental health

As you exercise, chemicals known as endorphins are released into the body. Endorphins (the feel-good hormone) trigger feelings of well-being and positivity within your brain, making you feel good and improving your mood.

Most people who deal with chronic pain struggle with mental illness mainly because the level of the serotonin hormone is low. However, exercise can help to increase the levels of this hormone and improve your mood. In addition, exercise can be distracting, which is necessary for pain and anxiety. Therefore, as you focus on the workout activities, breathing, and body movements, you meditate more and get distracted from the pain.

Boosts your immunity

Like most chronic conditions, chronic pain reduces immune response, making you more susceptible to infections and viruses. However, regular exercises can help boost the functioning of your immune system.

It helps you maintain a healthy weight

Gaining more weight can add to your pain, especially if you’re dealing with chronic back pain. When you’re overweight, there’s more pressure being exerted on your joints and muscles, which means that they’re being overworked. This not only adds to your pain but can also worsen other health conditions.

According to the NCBI, obesity increases the risk of neuropathic pain and osteoarthritis, which most people think are not related to body weight. To help manage your chronic pain, ensure that you maintain the appropriate body weight by making healthy nutrition choices and exercising more.

Exercises that Are Suitable for Chronic Pain

Before you start exercising, ensure that you talk with a physical therapist who can help guide you to the best exercises for your condition. Here are a few exercises that your therapist may recommend that can help manage your pain:

Walking
Yoga
Swimming
Cycling

Bottom Line

While treatment and physical therapy are essential in reducing chronic pain, exercising your body on a daily basis can greatly increase your quality of life. Physical activities help release natural endorphins that improve the mood and ease the pain. What’s more, regular exercise can help improve your quality of sleep.

Health

Dr. Raghu Athré: Beyond the Surface: The Mind-Skin Connection in Aesthetic Medicine

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2025

Michelle Langton

Before becoming one of the most sought-after facial cosmetic surgeons in Houston, Dr. Raghu Athré’s academic journey began at the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with honors in Chemical Engineering. His deep-rooted passion for understanding how things work—both functionally and aesthetically—laid the foundation for his career in plastic surgery. For Dr. Athré, the parallels between engineering and surgery are unmistakable: both require precision, analysis, attention to detail, and strategic problem-solving.

Dr. Athré’s expertise extends beyond surgical precision. He recognizes that beauty is not just skin deep—stress, anxiety, and emotional well-being play critical roles in dermatological and aesthetic concerns. This understanding has led him to explore the field of psychodermatology, a specialty that examines the powerful connection between mental health and skin conditions.

“Psychodermatology has become a buzzword ever since a strong relationship was shown between acne patients and depression.” said Dr. Athré. “To treat these patients effectively, physicians must address both the patient’s acne and depression simultaneously for optimal results. This highlights the connection between how we look and how we feel.”

A similar trend is evident among many of Dr. Athré’s facial rejuvenation patients. Unscripted patient interviews reveal that patients feel more awake, alert, confident, and self-assured after surgery. This pattern is also observed in many rhinoplasty patients, who often change how they engage with the world post-surgery due to increased self-confidence. These observations underscore the importance of a holistic approach to patient care in contemporary aesthetic medicine.

What is Psychodermatology?

Psychodermatology examines the intricate relationship between the mind and skin, focusing on how psychological stress and emotional well-being directly influence skin health. Conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and even premature aging have been linked to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health struggles. This field bridges dermatology with psychological and emotional care, offering a more holistic approach to skincare and aesthetic treatments.

The mind-skin connection becomes particularly evident when a patient’s emotional state exacerbates or triggers skin conditions. For example, stress-induced acne breakouts are a common issue, as the body’s response to emotional stress can lead to hormonal fluctuations, which in turn affect the skin. Similarly, individuals battling with anxiety or depression may experience worsened symptoms of psoriasis or eczema, as emotional distress can amplify the immune response.

An Approach to Aesthetic and Skin Wellness

The rise of psychodermatology marks a shift in how both patients and healthcare providers approach skin conditions. Instead of viewing the skin as merely a surface to treat, psychodermatology emphasizes the importance of emotional and psychological health in the overall management of skin conditions. Patients dealing with skin issues are encouraged to address their emotional well-being as part of their skincare regimen, fostering not just physical but mental health in tandem.

This field also highlights the importance of treating the patient as a whole person rather than focusing solely on external beauty. While cosmetic procedures can improve physical appearance, psychodermatology helps ensure that patients are also given the tools to support their mental health, which plays a key role in maintaining long-term skin wellness.

Bridging Aesthetics, Science, and Mental Well-Being

As the understanding of psychodermatology continues to grow, there is increasing recognition of the need to treat mental health concerns in conjunction with skin conditions. Innovative treatments are emerging that combine dermatological care with psychological interventions, offering patients an integrated approach to wellness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices, for example, can be used alongside traditional dermatological treatments to reduce stress and improve skin health.

The future of aesthetic medicine is poised to be more inclusive, recognizing that true beauty encompasses not just a person’s outward appearance but their emotional and mental well-being as well. As psychodermatology continues to evolve, it offers the potential to transform how we approach skin care, focusing not just on the exterior but on the holistic well-being of the individual.

By merging the science of dermatology with the psychology of the mind, psychodermatology provides a groundbreaking approach to skincare—one that is as much about healing the mind as it is about enhancing the skin.

For more information or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Raghu Athré, visit https://www.athrefacialplastics.com/facial-surgery/facial-rejuvenation/ or call 281-214-9324