Movement isn’t optional with COPD, so I turned to Voltaren to get my steps back

Note: This column describes the author’s experiences with Voltaren. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.

There’s a particular kind of pain that settles low in the back, right over those little dimples on each side of the spine. This spot is called the posterior superior iliac spine. For months, that’s where my pain lived. Deep. Achy. Both sides. The kind that tightens the muscles until walking becomes a negotiation with your own body.

I’ve always been faithful to my 5,000 steps a day. It wasn’t a marathon; it was my way of keeping my lungs honest and my spirits steady. But the pain grew so sharp that even a good day’s walk meant a bad day’s recovery. Some mornings, my hips clenched so hard I couldn’t take more than a few steps until I sat down and waited for everything to loosen.

When you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), movement isn’t optional — it’s medicine. Losing my ability to walk comfortably felt like losing ground I’d fought hard to gain.

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Arthritis and COPD: A heavy combination

Arthritis is one of the most common comorbidities of COPD. When inflammation settles into weight‑bearing joints like the hips, it can make every step feel heavier than it should. And when you already live with lungs that require careful pacing, adding joint pain to the mix can shrink your world faster than either condition would alone.

Research has been clear for years: People who walk and exercise tend to live longer. But the data specific to COPD are even more striking. Studies show that regular movement can improve lung function, reduce exacerbations, strengthen respiratory muscles, and even extend life expectancy. In other words, walking isn’t just good for people with COPD — it’s one of the most powerful tools we have.

That’s why this pain mattered. It wasn’t just discomfort. It was a barrier between me and the one therapy I can do for myself every single day.

A meaningful difference

I’m not one to grab the first remedy that floats by. I read. I weigh. I listen to others who’ve walked this road. After researching the over-the-counter medication Voltaren — the pros, the cons, the cautions — I decided the potential relief was worth the try. And the change was almost immediate.

Not dramatic, not miraculous, but meaningful. The ache softened. The tightness eased. For the first time in weeks, I could walk without bracing for the next day’s punishment. It felt like someone had opened a gate I’d been leaning against for too long.

I’m not offering medical advice; I’m sharing a moment of hope. When chronic pain sits on top of chronic lung disease, the combination can shrink your world. But sometimes a small intervention — a gel, a technique, a shared tip from another patient — can give you back enough comfort to keep moving.

For me, Voltaren means I can start rebuilding my 5,000‑step habit. It means I can walk without fear of being sidelined the next morning. It means my hips aren’t dictating my day.

And maybe, for someone reading this, it means permission to explore options, ask questions, and keep looking for the thing that helps you reclaim your own rhythm. Because in the world of COPD, every step matters — and every bit of relief is worth celebrating.

Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.