The biggest problem with chronic pain is the vicious cycle. The pain can lead to less activity and inability to sleep. This leads to weight gain and exhaustion – which can actually lead to more pain. Our pain tolerance is lower when we are tired and generally inactive. Then, because things seem to get worse for the person, depression can set in, which has its own series of new complications – like more sleep disturbances and appetite problems and more pain!
The trick of the treatment is to start improving wherever you can in the vicious cycle. If the doctor approves, exercise can keep a person from slipping too far into this bad circle. Most people in pain do not want to exercise, but it can help.