讀後心得

Chronic pain refers to persistent or intermittent pain lasting more than three months. Even after tissues have healed, patients may still experience pain, which is related to changes in the nervous system and psychosocial factors. Therefore, treatment requires interdisciplinary integration. Exercise has multiple benefits in improving chronic pain, including enhancing flexibility, promoting cardiovascular health, and improving mood. However, exercise plans for patients with chronic pain need to be tailored specifically, starting with light exercise and gradually increasing intensity as they adapt. Through exercise and appropriate rest, it helps to build muscle tension and improve joint stability, ultimately enabling control over daily life and overcoming pain.

Why do doctors say the tissue has healed, but I still feel pain? Physical pain that persists or occurs intermittently for more than three months is termed chronic pain. Even when the normal healing time for tissues has passed, pain may still exist, and it may even be recurring pain with no clear cause. The reasons for this pain may include hidden bodily tissue injuries, and chronic pain is also closely related to changes in the nervous system and psychosocial factors. Therefore, treating chronic pain requires a cross-disciplinary integrated approach. Long-term pain can affect daily life and may even lead to functional disabilities. To regain control of life and overcome the fear of pain, one must engage in exercise progressively.

What are the benefits of exercise for chronic pain? In 2019, the World Physiotherapy Alliance themed World Physiotherapy Day (September 8) on chronic pain, noting that exercise can help individuals regain control of their lives in the following aspects:

• Exercise helps maintain flexibility and mobility
• Exercise is crucial for cardiovascular health
• Exercise aids in building and maintaining muscle firmness
• Exercise can improve mood and overall well-being
• Controlling pain through exercise boosts confidence in participating in daily activities
• Regaining control of life reduces the fear of pain

Although exercise is very important, how should one start exercising if already in pain? People with chronic pain often choose to reduce activity due to the fear of re-injury, which can make the muscles in the injured area tense or weaken, decrease joint mobility, and thus exacerbate the pain. Physical therapists will design individualized exercise plans based on the status of tissue healing, taking into account each person's physical condition and activity level. When necessary, they may combine equipment and manual therapy to reduce tissue sensitivity to pain, improve mobility, and ensure the body functions in a correct and pain-free position.

In the early stages of exercise, patients with chronic pain often experience muscle fatigue or joint stiffness; therefore, it is recommended to start with a limited amount of exercise. Perhaps initially, only isometric contractions of the long-inactive muscles are needed, and under the therapist's guidance, joints should move and stretch within a comfortable range. By gradually increasing exercise intensity while allowing adequate rest, the body can adapt over time. During and after exercise, pain levels may slightly increase, but with the correct soothing measures, muscle soreness typically resolves within two to three days, and exercise intensity can be adjusted as needed. Once the correct muscle firmness is established, joint stability will improve, allowing better handling of daily activities.

Throughout the exercise process, we can also better understand the burdens our bodies can bear, allowing for better physical allocation to various daily activities and helping us regain control of our pace in everyday tasks and work. By maintaining a strong belief and continuing to engage in appropriate amounts of exercise, coupled with relaxation techniques and good sleep habits, one can ultimately overcome chronic pain and lead a more liberated life.