The study was published in the academic journal PLOS One . This is a large study, collecting and analyzing data from more than 10,000 adults, according to the science news site Science Alert (Australia).
Regular exercise may help increase pain tolerance in people with chronic pain
In the study, pain tolerance was measured using the cold proprioceptive test (CPT). Participants immersed their hands in ice-cold water to see how long they could withstand the pain. The CPT was performed twice, eight years apart, on study participants. They also completed a questionnaire about the frequency and intensity of their exercise.
After analyzing the data, the research team found that people who exercised regularly had a better pain tolerance. Those who exercised at a moderate to high intensity had a better pain tolerance than those who exercised less.
The team believes the discovery could be a breakthrough in treatment plans for patients with chronic pain. According to the National Institutes of Health (USA), chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than a few months without relief.
“The study results support increased physical activity as a non-pharmacological approach to reduce or prevent chronic pain,” the study authors said.
This isn’t the first time that research has suggested that exercise may be a potential treatment for chronic pain. However, most previous studies on the topic have been small studies that followed patients for just a year. Most have found that exercise improves pain with minimal side effects, which can be difficult to avoid when using painkillers for a long time.
Chronic pain is a fairly common condition, especially in the elderly. In many cases, although patients are in pain, doctors need time to determine the exact cause of the disease. Prolonged pain limits the ability to work and move physically, thereby increasing the risk of anxiety and depression.
For people with chronic pain, exercise can be challenging at first. Experts recommend trying low-impact exercises like walking, yoga, swimming, or tai chi.
If the pain becomes severe 2 hours after exercise, switch to another exercise. Exercise may be difficult at first, but once you get used to it, everything will be much easier. The body will then clearly feel the benefits of exercise, according to Science Alert .
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