Chronic pain is a major problem in the U.S. affecting 116 million adults81; more
46 than diabetes, cancer, and heart disease combined30. Recent estimates claim that
47 chronic pain affects 1.5 billion people worldwide, and these figures are steadily on the
48 rise81. As a result, chronic pain remains a pervasive medical problem consuming a vast
49 amount of health care resources. Treatments for chronic pain in the U.S. can cost up to
50 $635 billion dollars annually30 imposing a substantial economic burden on healthcare
51 systems and society.
52 Although numerous pharmacological interventions exist to treat chronic pain, few
53 have proven to be effective for the majority of chronic pain patients (REF). New and
54 effective treatments for chronic pain …show more content…
Aerobic exercise plans
74 have been found to reduce pain, fatigue, and depression as well as improve peak
75 oxygen uptake, health-related quality of life, and physical fitness in chronic pain
76 patients23, 35. Another significant benefit of exercise intervention for chronic pain
77 conditions is the reduction in health-care seeking and workplace absenteeism51, 89, 97.
78 Aerobic exercise at a level of at least 70% of the maximum aerobic capacity generates
79 the production of endorphins and elicits other pain inhibitory mechanisms synthesized
80 by the brain10, 64. Physical activity has also been shown to be associated with decreased
81 symptoms of depression and anxiety further suggesting that exercise could be
82 particularly advantageous in the context of chronic pain comorbid with psychiatric
83 illness11, 24.
84 Prescription of physical exercise presents itself as an advantageous treatment
85 plan in effectively reducing chronic pain (REF). The American College of Sports
86 Medicine and the American Heart Association recommend 30 minutes of
46 than diabetes, cancer, and heart disease combined30. Recent estimates claim that
47 chronic pain affects 1.5 billion people worldwide, and these figures are steadily on the
48 rise81. As a result, chronic pain remains a pervasive medical problem consuming a vast
49 amount of health care resources. Treatments for chronic pain in the U.S. can cost up to
50 $635 billion dollars annually30 imposing a substantial economic burden on healthcare
51 systems and society.
52 Although numerous pharmacological interventions exist to treat chronic pain, few
53 have proven to be effective for the majority of chronic pain patients (REF). New and
54 effective treatments for chronic pain …show more content…
Aerobic exercise plans
74 have been found to reduce pain, fatigue, and depression as well as improve peak
75 oxygen uptake, health-related quality of life, and physical fitness in chronic pain
76 patients23, 35. Another significant benefit of exercise intervention for chronic pain
77 conditions is the reduction in health-care seeking and workplace absenteeism51, 89, 97.
78 Aerobic exercise at a level of at least 70% of the maximum aerobic capacity generates
79 the production of endorphins and elicits other pain inhibitory mechanisms synthesized
80 by the brain10, 64. Physical activity has also been shown to be associated with decreased
81 symptoms of depression and anxiety further suggesting that exercise could be
82 particularly advantageous in the context of chronic pain comorbid with psychiatric
83 illness11, 24.
84 Prescription of physical exercise presents itself as an advantageous treatment
85 plan in effectively reducing chronic pain (REF). The American College of Sports
86 Medicine and the American Heart Association recommend 30 minutes of