Manage Chronic Pain With Exercise, Says Study

April 1 2014

Manage Chronic Pain With Exercise, Says Study

A recent study published in the journal PLOS One reveals that exercise, along with adequate sleep, can help individuals cope with chronic pain. Whether the pain is caused by a particular illness, or if it’s simply from overexertion, regular exercise plays a critical role in managing it.

About The Study

Researchers at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England closely monitored 119 participants suffering from chronic pain, checking both their activity levels and lifestyle habits. Each of the participants was asked to wear an accelerometer so data would could be harvested 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Throughout the study, participants were asked to maintain a daily journal of their sleep quality and pain levels. As the end of the study, researchers noticed a direct correlation between the amount of exercise participants received and their pain levels. Participants who performed moderate levels of exercise on a regular basis reported lower pain levels in their journal.

“Engaging in physical activity is a key treatment process in pain management. Very often, clinicians would prescribe exercise classes, physiotherapy, walking and cycling programs as part of the treatment, but who would like to engage in these activities when they feel like a zombie?" said, Dr. Nicole Tang lead author and professor at the University of Warwick’s Department of Psychology.

Sleep Also Impacts Chronic Pain

The study also points out that sleep plays an important role in managing chronic pain. It’s not just the amount of sleep, but also the quality of sleep. Participants who laid in bed staring at the alarm clock for hours on end did reap the same pain-reduction benefits as those who slept well at night.

So, how exactly does better sleep translate into reduced chronic pain? It actually goes back to exercise. Participants who slept well at night had the energy and drive to exercise the following day. And when participants exercised, they experienced lower pain levels.

Why Exercise Is Beneficial For Managing Chronic Pain

We still don’t why exercise is helpful for managing chronic pain, although some believe it’s the result of increased hormone levels in the body. When you exercise, the body naturally produces more hormones and endorphines, some of which may block pain signals sent to the brain.

I guess the key thing to take away from this study is that sleep and exercise are two important elements to a healthy lifestyle. In addition to warding off illness, they can reduce chronic pain.

Dumbbell weights at the gym: photo by rick.