Should You Walk When It Hurts?

We all get aches and pains - how do you know if it means you should stop walking, or if you need to keep going? Pain after an injury is a good signal to rest. But going completely inactive can lead to deconditioning and more pain.

The September, 2004 issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource offered these tips on when to keep exercising and when to stop:

Exercise, but proceed with caution if:

• Sore and aching muscles.
• You have discussed it with your doctor and he/she has approved your continuing to exercise.

Stop exercising and see your doctor if:

• Swollen joints, red and warm.
• Exercise makes your joint pain worsen.
• Fever.
• Pain that makes you limp or hurts when you put weight on it.
• A joint feels unstable or locks.
• The pain is worse after you exercise and it doesn't get better over time.

Common Walking Pain Problems

Heel Pain and Plantar Fasciitis
Shin Splints
Sprains
Sore Muscles After Exercise
Arthritis