Movement Is Medicine: My Strongest Tool Against Symptoms

By Lana Buettner

2 min read

Movement has played – and still does – a huge role on my healing journey.

If I don’t move daily, my body is very quick to send signals of stiffness, discomfort and restlessness.

Movement doesn’t always mean exercise.

It is about engaging our bodies into activity. The range is wide. Walking, biking, dancing, going up the stairs, standing and stretching, playing sports, running, doing yoga and the list goes on.

What do I need today?

When I wake up in the morning, I will usually ask myself “what kind of movement do I need today?”

If I am tired and stressed and in pain, I don’t overdo it and go for gentler movement.

If I have a lot of energy and feel great, I go for more intense activity (of course always within my limits).

When I ask myself the above question, I get to pause, become mindful and connect to my body. I listen to my needs and what is best given my current state. I really enjoy this routine.

I have also learned when I can motivate and push myself, knowing how beneficial movement is for me. For example, if I’m having a flare and I’m tired, at first, I just want to spend hours on the couch and rest. However, if I get to incorporate some gentle movement such as yoga and stretching or a nice walk outside, this always helps me feel to better. Thus, in those more difficult moments, I try to remember this feeling and connect to the post movement sensations.

Consistency and variety are key

While I have daily dedicated times for exercise, I try to break my day with movement as much as possible. Here again, I listen to my body to find those moments to lift my energy, shake out the stiffness and give me a little mental break.

Incorporating variety to my movement is also important and adds excitement and playfulness to those daily habits.

For example, I go to work by bike or I do a morning walk. This is a great way to start the day, with some time outside and to get my body moving, especially given the morning stiffness can be uncomfortable sometimes. While at work, I will intentionally take breaks from sitting, go on little walks (my goal is to get at least 10,000 steps a day), use my standing desk and do some quick stretching. Then, I try to take a longer lunch break so I can go outside again. Evenings during the week are my best time to do a workout.

When I follow this routine consistently, I see positive results in both my mental and physical health. I get to embrace those feelings of vitality, focus, motivation, improved mood and reduced stress (which as we know also strongly impacts AS symptoms). Finally, I feel more resilient when facing flares.

Movement has become one of the key pillars for my well-being. Movement is my medicine.

What is your experience with movement and exercise?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The AxialSpondyloarthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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MICHAEL 7500 Member
HAVING A.S. FOR OVER 50 YEARS I CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT IT IS VITAL TO KEEP MOVING AND STRECTHING EVERY DAY,MY CURRENT ACTIVITIES ARE WALKING, BIKE RIDING,SWIMMING,GOLFING YARD AND GARDEN WORK,RESISTANCE BANDS,LIGHT WEIGHTS,ALSO FOCUS ON YOUR DEEP BREATHING EXPANDING YOUR CHEST.
James Hollens Moderator & Contributor
This is such a great reminder that keeping active isn't necessarily all about going to the gym! I too have a little think to myself when I wake up about what kind of movement my body feels comfortable doing today. I have a daily stretch routine that I do as early as my body feels comfortable doing. Sometimes it is so my body is nice and loosened up to take on something like a walk or a work out but some days that is all the movement I can bring myself to do and that's okay too. Hearing that you manage 10,000 steps a day has inspired me to try and get walking a bit more as I have certainly been slacking in that aspect recently. And so glad to hear how much you have benefitted from following this routine! Thanks for a great read, James (Community Member)
Lisa Marie Basile Moderator & Contributor
I love this so much! I think a lot of people get annoyed when we talk about movement. I think a lot of people see movement as the antithesis of medication. I think both are important. But movement is my holy Grail. Just like you, if I don’t move every day I feel it. Right now I’m standing in place walking and stretching, and that’s usually how I moderate. It’s fatiguing — sure. But it’s what I do to stay sane and flexible and to prevent extreme pain. Cheers to movement and movement as medicine! I’m trying to do 10k per day. I usually make it to 6. You’ve inspired me!
Lawrence Rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
Motion is Lotion for certain. I love walking and riding my bicycle, but the winter is rough for both. Motion is lotion but lotion may not be in stock until March. Lets hope not. ................... rick
Auldyn Matthews Moderator & Contributor
LOVE the title of this article! It’s such a better way to frame it than “low impact exercising.” That stuff annoys me. My husband finds movement so important. If he doesn’t move enough he can easily get into a flare up.