The Role of Exercise and Types of Exercise in the Rehabilitation of Chronic Pain: Specific or Nonspecific Benefits

Abstract

Chronic pain is one of the most common complaints seen in general practitioners' offices, and it contributes to social, emotional, physical, and economical losses. The management of this problem poses challenges for health care providers when the current treatment of choice for chronic pain is pharmacological management, which may not be a sufficient and/or holistic approach to the management of chronic pain. Our goal is to increase awareness of the significance of physical activity, as well as examine additional cost-effective, integrated approaches to help manage the complex and debilitating effects of this condition. This article summarizes the types of exercise in the rehabilitation of chronic pain patients and provides practical recommendations for the clinician based on empirical and clinical experience. This safe, cost-free, nonpharmacologic way of managing pain has been found to reduce anxiety and depression, improve physical capacity, increase functioning and independence, and reduce morbidity and mortality.

Prevalence and Use of Complementary Health Approaches among Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain in a Prospective Cohort Study

“…Exercise and movement play an important therapeutic role in the treatment of chronic pain by restoring functional capacity and improving quality of life [59]. Musculoskeletal conditions affecting the low back, hip, abdomen, and pelvic floor commonly contribute to CPP [60].…”

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“…5 There is not enough evidence to support any specific exercise approach (such as aerobic exercise, weight-lifting, tai-chi, or yoga) over others, but improvements in mood, function, and health can be expected with regular use of exercise as a part of a spine pain management plan. 19 Cost-effectiveness analyses are few for non-operative care for spine pain, and are confounded by heterogeneity of treatment. 20 These cost-effectiveness studies can only report the relative superiority of specific treatments that have been studied in specific protocols, rather than propose a strategy that is broadly cost-effective.…”

Evidence-based practice in chronic pain: A multidimensional biopsychosocial paradigm is the "need of the hour" in palliative care

“…[13] Such a prescription when combined with the cognitive-behavioral therapy as a multi-component approach had garnered good evidence of effectiveness as stand-alone, adjunctive treatments for patients with chronic pain. [14]…”