Many people who have chronic pain live sedentary lifestyles, which could be contributing to their condition. Increasingly, there is support for living a more physically active life, and that goes for whether or not one has chronic pain. While those who have chronic pain search for relief, many health professionals are not suggesting physical activity to them as a way to get it. That may soon change, however, as more medical professionals embrace the idea of recommending physical activity to help with chronic pain.
A position paper recommending physical therapy as the primary intervention for those who live with chronic pain (1) was published in the May 2024 issue of the European Journal of Pain. Prepared by the European Pain Federation, the position paper was also endorsed by the European Pain Forum and Pain Alliance Europe.
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Those who prepared the paper state that there is clear evidence of the benefits of being physically active when someone has chronic pain. They provide information about the evidence of this, as well as offer five recommendations for those who work with people who have chronic pain. The expert position paper lays out a recommendation for those in health care to move physical activity up to the top of what they will suggest to chronic pain patients.
Although most in health care know the benefits of being physically active, they often fail to effectively promote it as part of treatment for their chronic pain patients. They are now being urged to be more proactive in prescribing it to patients and helping them to see it through.
The five recommendations include taking a history of the person’s physical activity level, advising them about the importance of being physically active, delivering a brief physical activity intervention and supporting the person to become more active, discussing the acceptable levels of pain and soreness that they may feel from the activity, and providing ongoing support to the person so they continue to be more active.
They conclude that physical activity offers numerous advantages and is a safe and cost-effective way for people to help with chronic pain. Those who become more physically active will likely have a better quality of life and reduce the risks of health issues.
Those who have been sedentary may be reluctant to participate in regular physical activity. Getting patients to take up any movement is going to be a step in the right direction. Plus, they can only start a healthy lifestyle of being more physically active with taking those first steps and putting in the effort. Starting small and gradually increasing may be the ticket that works with many.
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This article was originally published on Confronting Chronic Pain by Dr. Steven Richeimer, Director Pain Medicine Master and Certificate.
Sources:
- European Journal of Pain. Physical activity should be the primary intervention for individuals living with chronic pain. May 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38703009/
