Are you living with chronic pain? If that’s the case, you’re certainly not alone. Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that impacts the lives of millions of adults across the United States. In 2021, it was estimated that approximately 20.9% of U.S. adults experienced chronic pain, which closely aligns with the reported figure of 20.4% in 2016.
Chronic pain is defined as persistent pain lasting for 12 weeks or longer, even after receiving treatment. While it may initially stem from an injury or illness, it persists long after the physical healing process concludes. This condition manifests through various symptoms, including muscle tension, reduced energy levels, loss of appetite, feelings of depression, anger, and anxiety.
The intensity of the pain often hinders individuals from carrying out their daily activities with ease. Unfortunately, effective treatment for chronic pain remains elusive. While analgesics, aerobic exercise, and dietary adjustments have proven beneficial for some individuals, concerns have arisen regarding the use of opioid painkillers.
Opioids, although they can provide relief, carry dangerous side effects, exhibit diminished efficacy over time, and carry a risk of addiction.
Recent findings published in the journal PLOS ONE shed light on the importance of physical activity in relation to pain tolerance. The research indicates that individuals who engage in regular physical activity display higher pain tolerance levels compared to those leading sedentary lifestyles. Furthermore, the study revealed a positive correlation between the level of physical activity and pain tolerance, indicating that the more active an individual is, the greater their capacity to endure pain.
Researchers at the Anders Årnes University Hospital of North Norway in Tromsø conducted a study to investigate the correlation between physical activity and pain tolerance. To ensure reliable results, the study encompassed a large sample size of 10,732 Norwegian adults.
To assess pain tolerance, participants were asked to submerge their hands in cold water while reporting their levels of physical activity. By analyzing the data from this extensive study, the researchers were able to establish substantial evidence supporting the positive link between physical activity and pain tolerance.
Anders Årnes and his team from the University Hospital of North Norway led this study, and their findings unveiled that individuals who regularly engaged in physical activity exhibited higher pain tolerance compared to their sedentary counterparts.
The findings of the study were published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Previous research has hinted at the potential benefits of an active lifestyle in managing chronic pain. However, most of these studies have been limited in scale or focused on specific population groups. Thus, this comprehensive analysis offers valuable insights into the broader population, shedding light on the potential impact of physical activity on pain tolerance.
To establish a clearer connection between physical activity and pain tolerance, Årnes and colleagues conducted an analysis using data from the Tromsø Study. This large-scale population survey is conducted periodically in Norway. The study involved 10,732 Norwegian adults who participated in two rounds of data collection, spanning from 2007 to 2008 and from 2015 to 2016. The researchers examined the participants’ self-reported levels of physical activity and assessed their pain tolerance through a test involving immersing their hands in cold water.
“This is really just a proxy to how much pain someone can tolerate,” comments Dr. Nathan Kadlecek, who was not involved in the study.
“The reasoning behind this is that you are physically active and exercise frequently. Theoretically, you are used to putting your body through very difficult situations and feeling uncomfortable, voluntarily.”
The study revealed individuals who reported being physically active in either round of the experiment exhibited higher pain tolerance compared to those who reported leading a sedentary lifestyle during both rounds. Moreover, participants with higher overall levels of physical activity demonstrated increased pain tolerance. Notably, individuals who displayed higher activity levels in 2015/2016, as opposed to 2007/2008, showcased an overall elevation in pain tolerance.
Although the analysis did not establish a statistically significant relationship between activity level and changes in pain tolerance between the two study rounds, it strongly suggests that maintaining physical activity, initiating physical activity, or increasing one’s activity levels is associated with higher pain tolerance.
Based on these compelling findings, the researchers propose that enhancing physical activity could serve as a potential strategy for alleviating or preventing chronic pain.
“Becoming or staying physically active over time can benefit your pain tolerance,” conclude the authors, adding, “Whatever you do, the most important thing is that you do something!”
Image Credit: Getty