Shorter, gentler exercise programs may ease pain more than tougher workouts
From osteoarthritis to a splitting migraine, when you're experiencing pain, exercise can seem like the last thing you want or think you should do. But according to new Adelaide University research published in PAIN Reports, it could be one of the most effective ways to help ease your symptoms.
New research from the University of Adelaide suggests that shorter, less intense exercise programs could be more effective in reducing pain than more rigorous workouts. The study, published in PAIN Reports, analyzed data from 157 systematic reviews, 2,736 randomized controlled trials and 221,279 participants. It found that exercise can significantly reduce both acute and chronic pain across various conditions, including musculoskeletal, neurological, inflammatory and cancer-related pain.
Importantly, programs involving less than two hours of exercise per week yielded substantial benefits, with pain relief around 60% greater than commonly reported for pain medications. Lead researcher Dr. Ben Singh explained that exercise stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, which help reduce pain perception and increase pain tolerance.
It also helps decrease inflammation and alters the brain's response to pain, improving mood. Despite the evidence, exercise is often underutilized as a treatment for pain. The study highlights the need for clinicians to prescribe specific, evidence-based exercise programs considering factors like exercise type, intensity, and duration, rather than simply recommending "stay active."
Senior researcher Carol Maher advocates for incorporating exercise as a core component of multimodal pain management, emphasizing the need for clear guidance on which exercises work best for different patients.
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