Mixed
Structured physical activity and exercise interventions reduce pain severity and improve physical function in adults with chronic pain, with effects generally being small-to-moderate and inconsistent across study types.
Start with structured, supervised exercise tailored to your condition (e.g., aerobic, strength, or flexibility). Expect small improvements in pain and function, not a cure. Consistency is key, but progress gradually to avoid flare-ups. The goal is to combat deconditioning and improve quality of life, not just eliminate pain instantly.
There were some favourable effects in reduction in pain severity and improved physical function, though these were mostly of small-to-moderate effect, and were not consistent across the reviews.
Why this rating
The overview explicitly states the quality of evidence is 'low' due to small sample sizes, short follow-up, and heterogeneity.
Source
Physical activity and exercise for chronic pain in adults: an overview of Cochrane Reviews
Louise Geneen et al. · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · 2017
DOI 10.1002/14651858.cd011279.pub3
Related findings · Mixed
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