title: The role of exercise and types of exercise in the rehabilitation of chronic pain: specific or nonspecific benefits.
abstract: Chronic pain is one of the most common complaints seen in general practitioners' offices, and it contributes to social, emotional, physical, and economical losses. The management of this problem poses challenges for health care providers when the current treatment of choice for chronic pain is pharmacological management, which may not be a sufficient and/or holistic approach to the management of chronic pain. Our goal is to increase awareness of the significance of physical activity, as well as examine additional cost-effective, integrated approaches to help manage the complex and debilitating effects of this condition. This article summarizes the types of exercise in the rehabilitation of chronic pain patients and provides practical recommendations for the clinician based on empirical and clinical experience. This safe, cost-free, nonpharmacologic way of managing pain has been found to reduce anxiety and depression, improve physical capacity, increase functioning and independence, and reduce morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
authors.forename: Amy Burleson
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scheman
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Venesy
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Davin
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise; D026241:Exercise Movement Techniques; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026302:Tai Ji; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015013:Yoga