In 2023, a groundbreaking collaborative study involving researchers from UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the University Hospital of North Norway (UNN), and the Norwegian Institute of Public Health unveiled a wealth of knowledge from a group exceeding 10,000 adults. They unearthed a significant revelation: individuals who engaged in regular physical activity demonstrated a remarkable ability to endure pain compared to their less active counterparts. What’s more, a compelling correlation emerged: the more intense the physical activity, the higher the pain tolerance observed, underscoring the profound impact of exercise on pain management.
Prompted by these findings, the research team delved deeper to explore the potential long-term impacts of physical activity on the likelihood of developing chronic pain years down the line. A particular focus was placed on understanding the relationship between physical activity and pain tolerance, pondering whether this could be a critical factor in mitigating the risk of chronic pain.
Anders Årnes, a doctoral fellow at UiT and UNN and a pivotal contributor to the study, shared some significant insights. He noted that individuals more physically active during leisure time had a noticeably lower risk of encountering various forms of chronic pain 7 to 8 years later. A modest increase in activity levels, such as moving from light to moderate exercise, was linked to a 5% reduction in the risk of reporting chronic pain in the future. Moreover, for individuals experiencing severe chronic pain in multiple areas, a higher level of activity correlated with a 16% decrease in risk.
The research also probed into cold pain tolerance to measure the body’s ability to endure pain, shedding light on the protective benefits of being physically active. It was found that an increased capacity to tolerate pain could explain the observed reduction in the risk of developing severe chronic pain, regardless of its spread across the body.
Anders Årnes emphasized, “This suggests that physical activity enhances our pain tolerance, potentially serving as a mechanism through which it helps lower the risk of severe chronic pain.”
The study, which was part of the extensive Tromsø survey that has been tracking health and lifestyle data for decades, involved nearly 7,000 participants. After assessing their leisure-time exercise habits, the researchers evaluated their ability to handle cold-induced pain in a lab setting. Subsequently, they examined whether these individuals reported experiencing pain lasting three months or longer, including pain that was widespread or particularly intense.
Out of the study participants, 60% reported some form of chronic pain, yet only 5% suffered from severe pain in multiple areas. The occurrence of more severe pain conditions was relatively rare.
These findings were recently published in the PAIN Journal, affiliated with the International Association for the Study of Pain.
On the topic of exercise for those already dealing with chronic pain, the researchers advise caution but also highlight the potential benefits. According to Årnes, physical activity can be incredibly beneficial for individuals with chronic pain when appropriately tailored. He suggests that healthcare professionals experienced in managing chronic pain can offer valuable guidance in creating an appropriate exercise regimen. The aim is to find a balanced level of effort that avoids exacerbating the condition. A fundamental guideline is to avoid activities that lead to persistent worsening of symptoms, although some immediate reactions post-exercise may be expected.
More information: Årnes, Anders Pedersen et al, Does pain tolerance mediate the effect of physical activity on chronic pain in the general population? The Tromsø Study, Pain. DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003209
Journal information: Pain Provided by UiT The Arctic University of Norway
