Exercise during a flare

[Jorgenli]

Is it good to exercise during a flare? I definitely don't FEEL like it, and I suspect that the next day or two my muscles and joints will be extraordinarily sore. It brings so much stress relief for me though, and I don't want to get weak.

[Silvergilt]

The last thing anyone with these conditions is, is 'weak' so don't worry about that! Honestly it depends on the exercise. When I was lifting, it made it worse to exercise during a flare - even walking was a bad idea. I have found I can keep doing yoga however, although in a very adapted form. That definitely helps for me personally. It's not lifting, and I'm definitely unable to lift anything anymore like I used to, but weak I ain't! 😋 I'm actually surprised at that it's not really 'exercising' to my brain for some reason but it works

Depending on what exercise you're doing, you could try adapting your routine? With my current practice I have flows for when my back hurts, when I can't use my hands/wrists, for sitting on a chair, for standing, and for when I just can't even! Even taking a few measured breaths can get my head in a better place.

Don't push, don't try to force, compete with, or 'punish' your body for letting you down. If you can't on a particular day, then you really can't, and that's ok.

I wish you as brief a flare as possible.

[Jorgenli in reply to Silvergilt]

Thank you! What a perfect answer. The first time i read it it brought tears to my eyes- so nice to feel understood...and it will be reread many times for encouragement! I love yoga too and will keep at it with adaptations galore

[Mean-time]

I'd go easy on exercising during a flare. Stretching makes me feel better. Start each day doing total head to toes body stretch, lifting arms to max, bend over from waist, keep knees loose, letting arms n head hang for 30 seconds or so, relax and repeat two or three times a day. Hope you get relief and can relax.

[Jorgenli in reply to Mean-time]

Thank you so much!

[Joy_1]

Hi,

When I had a flare in my right hand back in 2015 (I am right handed) my Consultant told me to wear a support and carry on with 'light duties'. He said it was good to keep things moving but that my joints needed support or else I could cause damage.

I then had 2 steroid jabs + physio and things got back to normal.

[Carolyn1063]

My Rheumy suggested I keep joints moving but that it was important to rest during a bad flare up as exercise could damage joints. At other times sensible exercise is a great help & gives me that "feel-good" factor. Keep well

[Gaynormaria]

Hia just read your post hope your flare is easing , don't know if this is any help I go to a health and wellbeing consultant and her instructions if unwell no exercise if mild pain and fatigue light exercise as is comfortable, if feeling ok exercise as per her instructions however this is not hard vigorous exercises wouldn't be able to sustain any vigorous exercise hope your feeling better.

[Jorgenli in reply to Gaynormaria]

Thank you, I think those are reasonable guidelines. Exercise (even if light) sure helps me feel more optimistic!

[Chanpreet_Walia LUPUS UK]

Hi Jorgenli,

It is very important that you listen to your body and don’t push too hard if you are flaring in case you get an injury or make things worse. We published an article last year about exercising with lupus which included a section at the end that you may find helpful; ‘How to look after yourself’. You can read the article at lupusuk.org.uk/lupus-and-ex...

[Jorgenli in reply to Chanpreet_Walia]

Thank you!