Navigating the world of aches and pains is challenging. Do you see a Physio, Chiro, Osteo or someone else? Do you try medication, stretches, supplements, surgery, injections, massage guns or posture correctors? When you’re in pain, everyone is willing to share their opinion on what you should do and where you should go. However, getting some regular exercise may be the most beneficial idea of them all. That’s right, regular exercise is proven as the most important thing you can do for your overall health. And maybe surprisingly, general exercise will almost certainly help improve most of the common aches and pains. Often  research indicates that there is no better treatment than getting a good dose of exercise. But what is a good dose?

The current recommendation is 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 5 days/week (e.g. jogging, bike riding, swimming, kayaking, dancing, zumba etc) and 3 days/week of a few resistance exercises (squats, push-ups, jumping, lifting weights etc). Only around 50% of adult Australians are meeting those guidelines and 30% of children. Consistent exercise will improve your physical health (strength, balance, fitness) mental health (depression, stress and anxiety) sleep quality and a whole host of health conditions (diabetes, dementia, metabolic syndrome and many others). It will also lower your risk of death from a lot of common killers such as heart disease, stroke and cancer. 

Here is a clever short video that summarises the evidence for exercise nicely.