Believe it or not, physical activity is vital in the management of pain. Movement is the last thing we think of when we are injured or ill, but should be it be the first thing? On a daily basis our muscles, heart and lungs collaborate together like a well oiled machine to maintain homeostasis (maintenance of stable internal environment). The consequence of poor internal functioning - joint stiffness, muscle tightness and circulatory issues.
Movement, in a variety of forms, is also recommended as a component of treatment to aid the recovery in many pain syndromes. For people suffering from pain, their initial response is to avoid activity and seek rest. And yet exercise therapy is often prescribed as a treatment option to manage pain. Commencing restorative movement patterns early i.e standing, walking, completion of activities of daily living have the capacity to restore function faster then that of sedentary behaviours post injury. Its important to always check with your GP or Allied Health Professional after injury or illness prior to starting exercise.
Exercise Induced Hypoalgesia (EIH) is phenomenon which has been extensively studied in the literature, and results of which are ambiguous. EIH is poorly understood, and it is characterised secondary to increase in pain threshold and tolerance in addition to reduction of pain intensity rating during and after exercise. On a cellular level, exercise stimulates central opioid systems which are activated by increased discharges from mechanosensitive afferent nerve fibers A-delta and IV (C) arising from skeletal muscles. Both aerobic exercise and strength training at respective intensities have the capacity to enhance EIH.
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