Menopause and Chronic Pain: Why It Hurts and What Helps | Dr Clare Spencer | EP 108

Yeah, I mean, there's, there's lo- there's loads of people sharing all sorts of things.

Um, I think that restorative part to exercise, and I think when we've talked about sess- in sessions we've done with you before, Claire, it's, it's that balance and mixture of, of movement.

And maybe our bodies aren't able to do things in exactly the same way as we did before, so it's then thinking about what serves our body well in terms of weight-bearing exercise, strength exercise, restorative exercise, and, and finding those things that really work for us.

Yeah.

No, no, that's absolutely right, and I was just flicking through as well, and it's lovely to see people sharing their experience.

That's absolutely right, and what works for you might not work for another.

I think one top tip, if you are somebody who lives with pain, what you sometimes see if people have good days and bad days, and they have a good day and think, "Whoopee, I'm going to do loads of stuff," and then they're completely wiped out.

It's just keeping it on a level and, um, don't go bonkers when you're feeling better, um, and doing what is right for you.

Um, there is no right answer.

There is no black and white here.

You know, cardiovascular exercise is great in the menopause, alongside maintaining muscle mass and lifting weights.

You...

That might not be for you.

It might be using body weight, using Pilates, using yoga, or reformer Pilates, adding extra weight.

So the take-home message is what, uh... just move, and try and ignore the noise that says you have to do this, you have to do that.

You do what is right for you, and if that means that you need to speak to a physio or get some expert advice, get the expert advice, but don't stop.

Yeah.

Abso- and I think that's one of the things we always talk when we're doing sessions around, um, how we take care of ourselves during menopause, that, that focus on self-care and kindness-

Mm

... rather than beating ourselves up from what we can't do, can do, that puts that massive pressure and stress on ourselves, and I think it's, yeah, um, listening to your body, I think, is a really important part of this.

No, absolutely, and this is why we do talk about the-... talking therapies in this space because what often happens is you can get in this complete vicious cycle of not sleeping, heightened perception of pain, stop exercising, not going out, not talking to people, and that just makes the whole thing worse.

Whereas it's not a, it, it's ...

We're acknowledging that you are experiencing the pain.

We're not telling you that it's all in your head or you're imagining it.

We're not telling you you've just got to crack on, stiff upper lip, and, and get on with it.