With joint pain, many people automatically think of rest.
Just stopping for a while, not forcing anything, giving your body time.
But did you know that for chronic pain, rest actually often works counterproductively?
For complaints like osteoarthritis, rheumatism, or joint stiffness, rest is not always the best solution. In fact: light movement usually helps better than doing nothing. And you can do that safely and calmly, at your pace, with the Motimove app.
Why do we think rest is always good?
With an injury or bruise, rest is often the right choice. Your body needs to recover. But with chronic joint pain like osteoarthritis, there’s no “fresh damage.” The pain is real, but that doesn’t mean you’re damaging anything by moving.
Many people are afraid to make it worse. That fear is understandable, but often unnecessary.
Too much rest actually makes joints stiffer.
Muscles get weaker, so joints get less support.
Your fitness declines, and moving gets harder and harder.
That’s how a vicious circle of pain → rest → less movement → more pain develops.
What happens if you do move?
Regular movement, even with pain, has lots of benefits:
Your joints become more flexible
Muscles become stronger
You feel more energetic
You gain more confidence in your body
According to the Arthritis Foundation and the RIVM, moderate-intensity movement (such as walking, cycling or gentle exercises) helps decrease joint pain and improve function.
You don’t have to be an athlete. Just 5 to 10 minutes a day can make a difference.
“But moving hurts, right?”
It can. And that’s okay.
It’s fine if moving causes a little pain, as long as the pain doesn’t radiate, linger dully, or get worse afterwards.
Tip: do you feel tension or fear when moving? Start small. One exercise. One minute. Your body will get used to it—and so will you.
What can you do better than rest?
Instead of sitting completely still, choose:
Light, controlled exercises
Short walks spread throughout the day
Stretching movements for stiffness (e.g. in the morning)
Exercises focused on the joint for your complaint
That’s why an app like MotiMove is so valuable— you get precisely the exercises that fit your situation.
Motimove: the movement app for people with pain
Motimove is developed in collaboration with physical therapists and pain experts.
The app is especially intended for people with chronic joint pain, such as:
- Osteoarthritis in knee or hip
- Pain in lower back or shoulders
- Morning stiffness or stiffness after rest
- Rheumatic complaints
With Motimove you get:
Tailor-made exercises, adjusted to your pain
Statistics to track your progress
Daily facts about pain and recovery
All in one safe, clear app
Try it today