- Adults who exercise have a greater pain tolerance than those who don't, a new study says.
- The research shows that the more someone exercises, the more pain they can tolerate overall.
The phrase "no pain, no gain" is often overused when talking about exercise. But new research is revealing that a bit of movement may actually help improve overall tolerance to pain.
In a large study of more than 10,000 adults, researchers found those who regularly participated in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity had higher pain tolerance than those who remained sedentary.
For the study, published in PLOS One, pain tolerance was measured using the cold pressor test (CPT), during which participants hands were submerged in ice water to see how long they can withstand the subsequent pain. The CPT test was done twice, about 8 years apart for each participant.
Researchers found those who self-reported participating in even light exercise were associated with greater pain tolerance, though the more someone exercised, the more pain they were able to endure overall.
Good news for those who suffer with chronic pain
For those who suffer from chronic pain, described by the National Institute of Health as pain that lasts more than several months, these findings could be a breakthrough for their treatment plans.
"These results support increased physical activity levels as a possible non-pharmacological pathway towards reducing or preventing chronic pain," researchers stated in the study abstract.
This isn't the first time exercise has been studied as a potential treatment for chronic pain — though it may be one of the largest studies to date. A 2017 Cochrane review found that most previous studies on the subject were small and only followed participants for less than a year. The authors of that review also determined that physical activity has the potential to improve pain, with very few side effects.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 51.6 million people — about 20 percent of the adult population — experience chronic pain. Many sufferers say that a proper diagnosis can take years, which can lead to additional complications including anxiety and depression as well as a limited ability to work or participate in activities.
The idea of exercising with chronic pain can be daunting. Experts previously told the New York Times that people with chronic pain should start with small amounts of low-impact exercises like walking, yoga, swimming, or tai chi to get in the groove. And if the pain worsens two hours after finishing the activity, scale back or find a new exercise to enjoy.