Exercising And Chronic Pain 

1.5 billion people around the globe are living with chronic pain – that’s around 20% of the world’s population. Let this sink in for a moment! 

 Chronic Pain Overview

Do Chronic Pain exercises help?

Firstly, chronic pain isn’t mild or occasional; it’s persistent and, at times, excruciating.  

Given that chronic pains indicate the sensitiveness of the nervous system and hinder various bodily functions, many people with chronic pain experience a sharp decline in their mobility.  

This adversely impacts their personal and professional life. 

So, what can people with chronic pain do to manage it? 

Depending on a person’s current health and medical history, exercising is by far one of the most effective ways for chronic pain management.  

Let us find out how exercising helps and what different types of exercises you can try out.

Why Is Exercising Recommended For Chronic Pain Management? 

 Certainly, the dearth of active lifestyles is one of the main reasons behind the common occurrence of chronic pains. 

People who do experience chronic pain tend to abstain from unnecessary activity to avoid pain flares. 

But in fact, lack of exercise wears out muscle shape, giving rise to soreness and other physiological changes. 

On the other hand, there are countless benefits of exercising as it:   

• Improves muscle coordination  
• Better joint function  
• Helps to reduce stress  
• Boosts mental health 

Effects Of Different Types Of Exercise In Pain Management

Above all, chronic pain relief is possible with several different types of exercises, but strength training and aerobics exercises are easy to do and hence, highly recommended. 

However, always remember to follow the prescribed instructions of your physician regarding the adequate intensity and frequency of exercise. 

Strength Training Or Resistance Exercise  

Resistance training or strength training entails a wide range of motion exercises that are especially helpful for chronic back pain treatment.   

It leads to substantial changes in bone and cartilage movement as the arrangement of muscles improves. Consequently, pain intensity reduces and helps to eradicate stiffness.  

For instance, lower back pains accentuate disc movement, causing long-lasting pain in the spine. Performing resistance exercises regularly helps improve disc metabolism and gradually eradicates back pains.  

Endurance Training Or Aerobics Exercise  

Aerobics exercises are of moderate intensity and can be performed either on land or in water.   

Moreover, jogging, running, cycling, and swimming are all included in the domain of aerobics. Such exercises raise your heartbeat and improve your stamina. This develops endurance and enables smooth joint function.   

Simultaneously, aerobic exercise aids in weight loss which, in turn, helps alleviate pressure on joints.  

Aquatic Exercise  

Any kind of exercise performed in water is helpful with non-inflammatory joint pain.   

In addition, patients suffering from chronic knee pain are likely to benefit highly from it.  

Apart from swimming, all other aquatic exercises such as walking in water are performed in a vertical position. In this way, the patient’s muscles are conditioned and strengthened.

Motor Control Exercise  

  The prime motive of motor control training is to retain the contraction of the core muscles.   

That is to say, this type of exercise is an effective chronic muscle pain management tool to improve coordination and bring back mobility. Proper muscle coordination is essential to perform daily tasks.   

However, motor training must be strictly done under the supervision of a medical practitioner.

Managing Chronic Pain With Professional Help    

In conclusion, there is certainly no cure for chronic pain, but it can indeed be managed successfully by working out.  

So, start exercising and embrace a healthier lifestyle free of chronic pain.  

If you need any help, we at Carolinas Pain Center are here for you.   

Let’s partner up and craft for you a customized pain management plan that offers long-term pain relief. Isn’t that just what you want? 

• Additional Chronic Pain Information

• Make A Chronic Pain Appointment

• Main Chronic Pain Page

References –

John Booth , G Lorimer Moseley , Marcus Schiltenwolf , Aidan Cashin , Michael Davies , Markus Hübscher  doi: 10.1002/msc.1191. Epub 2017 Mar 30. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28371175/