Chronic pain: what it is and why exercise helps

What pain is

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with, or resembling that associated with, actual or potential tissue damage.

In the notes to the definition, the IASP explains:

• Pain is always a personal experience, shaped by biological, psychological and social factors.
• Pain and tissue damage are not the same thing.
• We learn what pain is through our life experiences.
• When someone says they are in pain, they should be believed.
• Pain usually protects us, but it can also harm function and wellbeing.

How common it is

According to the IASP, chronic pain affects about 20% of people worldwide and accounts for nearly one in five visits to a doctor.

Why exercise helps

The IASP says being inactive is a risk factor for chronic pain, and that people who exercise regularly report less pain and are less likely to develop chronic pain.

Exercise is recommended as a front-line treatment for chronic pain. It improves pain, function, mood and quality of life in conditions such as osteoarthritis, low back pain and fibromyalgia.

How to start

A short, mild increase in pain after exercise is expected, especially at the start. It does not mean you are causing harm. Adjust the plan rather than stopping. Even a little activity helps, and the right type and amount differ from person to person.

The IASP advises some professional guidance for therapeutic exercise, for example from a physiotherapist who adjusts it as you progress.