Train in Pain: A Review of Exercise Benefits and Application for Individuals With Musculoskeletal Pain

Exercise is a safe and recommended treatment for individuals experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. After receiving medical clearance, strength and conditioning practitioners and clinicians may prescribe exercise for clients with comorbid pain conditions, representing a unique challenge in determining the appropriate exercise prescription. Although exercise is a recommended intervention for pain, pain can also act as a key barrier to exercise participation because of associated increases in pain intensity or location during activity. In addition, biopsychosocial factors integral to the pain experience may affect response to exercise and should be considered when developing an exercise plan of care for this population. Strength and conditioning professionals may also consider the role of contextual factors in the delivery of exercise, such as expectations for pain relief and therapeutic alliance. This narrative review provides an overview of the current evidence regarding exercise for individuals with musculoskeletal pain.