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

Finding Your Best Fit: Are GLP-1 Medications Right for Your Weight Loss Journey?

Published

6 hours ago

July 2, 2025

Michelle Langton

Over the past few years, a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists has been gaining attention, not only for treating type 2 diabetes but also in the field of weight management.

With obesity affecting “at least one in five adults (20%) in each U.S. state,” according to the CDC, many individuals are seeking effective solutions that can complement diet and exercise. Two of the most discussed options are GLP-1 injections for weight loss and GLP-1/GIP for weight loss, both of which have shown promising results.

However, deciding if these medications are right for you isn’t a one-size-fits-all process; it’s essential to determine if GLP-1s are right for you to get you to be your best self in 2025. SimpleFixRx — a healthcare service dedicated to personalized options — can help you explore GLP-1s therapy as part of your 2025 broader health plan.

Understanding GLP-1 receptor agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists were initially designed to help regulate blood sugar in individuals with type 2 diabetes by mimicking a hormone that controls insulin secretion, slows digestion, and reduces appetite. The recent spotlight on GLP-1 injectors for weight loss and GLP-1/ GIP for weight loss stems from studies showing that these medications can help many people achieve significant, sustained weight loss — often in the 10-15 percent range or more of their body weight — when paired with healthier eating habits and increased physical activity.

Key benefits:

Enhanced blood sugar control: For individuals with type 2 diabetes, these medications can significantly lower hemoglobin A1C levels.

Appetite regulation: By slowing gastric emptying and impacting appetite signals, GLP-1s can help reduce unhealthy food cravings.

Possible cardiovascular benefits: Some research suggests that certain GLP-1s may offer heart-protective effects, reducing the risk of cardiac events.

Who can benefit from GLP-1?

GLP-1 receptor agonists have emerged as a promising option for individuals facing various metabolic and weight-related challenges. Whether you’re dealing with type 2 diabetes or seeking a meaningful way to jump-start weight loss, therapies like GLP-1/ GIP for weight loss and GLP-1 injections for weight loss could help bridge the gap where traditional diet and exercise might fall short.

Individuals with type 2 diabetes

GLP-1s remain a staple in controlling high blood sugar for patients who’ve struggled with traditional oral medications or lifestyle measures alone. If you have type 2 diabetes, speak with your healthcare provider to see if adding a GLP-1 might improve your overall management plan.

Those with obesity or weight-related health concerns

If your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or above — or you’re overweight (BMI 25–29.9) and have additional complications like prediabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol — GLP-1s might be a strong consideration. The appetite-suppressing effects often help jump-start weight loss.

People seeking a catalyst for lifestyle changes

Even if you haven’t succeeded with traditional diets or exercise routines, medications such as GLP-1/ GIP for weight loss or GLP-1 injections for weight loss may help you regain momentum. Still, a commitment to long-term lifestyle improvements — such as more balanced eating and regular physical activity — is vital to achieving the best results.

Patients with hard-to-control metabolic factors

Some people face genetic or metabolic hurdles that make weight management exceptionally challenging. GLP-1s can help bridge that gap, providing extra support where willpower and standard lifestyle interventions might not suffice on their own.

By combining medical guidance, like that from the experts of SimpleFixRx, with regular follow-ups and a commitment to healthier habits, eligible patients may find these therapies to be a game-changer in achieving sustainable weight management and better overall health.

GLP Squared

Some compound pharmacies are now combining options for GLP medications, allowing for the microdosing of a combination of GLP and GLP1/GIP. Microdosing has numerous benefits for patients, including reduced nausea, a more steady release of medication, and decreased inflammation, among others. SimpleFix does offer GLP squared, and it is less expensive than GLP1/ GIP alone.

The SimpleFixRx approach

SimpleFixRx specializes in providing personalized healthcare solutions, including access to GLP-1 therapies, through a convenient, patient-centered platform. Their team of licensed healthcare providers works closely with patients to:

Assess eligibility: SimpleFixRx professionals review each patient’s medical history, lifestyle habits, and specific health goals to determine if GLP-1 therapy is appropriate.

Offer comprehensive care plans: Beyond prescribing medications, SimpleFixRx aims to create a holistic approach that includes nutritional guidance and exercise plans, ensuring GLP-1 therapy is supported by healthier daily habits.

Monitor progress: Through regular follow-up appointments, patients can collaborate with the SimpleFixRx team to fine-tune their regimen and address any side effects or emerging concerns.

Potential side effects and considerations

While GLP-1s offer noteworthy benefits, they aren’t free of potential drawbacks. The most frequently reported side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and, in some cases, vomiting — especially when first beginning treatment — but these often ease as your body adjusts. Other, more serious risks include pancreatitis or gallbladder issues, though these are generally less common.

Your medical history and personal goals should guide any decision to start GLP-1 therapy. Certain gastrointestinal or thyroid conditions, for instance, could make these medications less suitable. Women who are or might become pregnant also need specialized guidance, as safety data for pregnancy remains limited.

Making the decision with SimpleFixRx

Dr. Garrett H. Garner, M.D., F.A.C.O.G., a board-certified OB/GYN with over two decades of experience in North Texas, highlights the importance of individualized care. “We take the time to review each patient’s medical history, dietary habits, and long-term health objectives. Medications like GLP-1/ GIP or GLP-1 can be game-changers — but they work best within a broader strategy that includes nutrition, exercise, and regular follow-up.”

Before you opt for any GLP-1 medication, consider asking your healthcare provider or a service like SimpleFixRx these five questions:

“Am I a good candidate for GLP-1s based on my health profile?”
“How will this therapy interact with other treatments or conditions I have?”
“What lifestyle changes, if any, should I implement to maximize the benefits?”
“Which medication — GLP-1/ GIP vs. GLP-1 — would best suit my needs?”
“How often should I schedule follow-up appointments to assess progress and adjust my treatment plan?”

By partnering with a dedicated healthcare service like SimpleFixRx, you can gain access to expert guidance, personalized care plans, and ongoing support — all crucial components to long-term success.

These therapies are tools, not magic solutions, as sustainable progress often hinges on a combination of effective medication, mindful eating, regular physical activity, and consistent medical oversight. However, with the proper support structure and commitment, GLP-1 medications can be a transformative part of your journey toward better health.