Working out can be vital to easing your pain. It can also help lift your mood, which may also quiet the pain. But taking opioids can change how your mind and body work. These changes can impact what types of workouts and how much of them you can do safely.
Opioids can slow down your heart and breathing rates. They can also cause your heart to beat in an erratic way. Less oxygen flows to your muscles and vital organs as a result.
This can make you feel tired and not able to put full effort into your workout. And these drugs can slow bone building, which can result in thinner and more brittle bones over time. This along with balance issues may raise your risk of falls and fractures.
To help lessen your risk for injury while working out, opt for activities that involve less effort, impact on your joints, and time. Swap out running for walking and choose paths that are flat and well lit. Or try a cardio class in shallow water in place of your usual cardio workout.
Fitness machines that help keep you stable and balanced may also be good choices. For instance, an indoor stationary bike may be much safer than riding your bike outdoors. Lastly, you may want to cut down on the amount of time you work out to further lessen the impact on your body and your risk of getting hurt.
Reference
Dhaliwal, A., & Gupta, M. (2021). Physiology, opioid receptor.
Horn, D. B., et al. (2021). Responsible controlled substance and opioid prescribing.
Ignaszewski, M. J. (2021). The epidemiology of drug abuse. J Clin Pharmacol.
