Chronic pain affects over one in five Australians—and its impact reaches far beyond discomfort. It can limit movement, reduce quality of life, and affect mental health and wellbeing. But exciting progress is being made in how we understand and manage chronic pain. Globally and nationally, health experts are shifting away from medication-focused treatment and turning toward empowering, non-pharmacological options—like exercise.
A New Global Standard in Pain Management
In a significant move earlier this year, the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released updated guidelines for the assessment and management of chronic pain in people over 16. These guidelines reflect years of research and strongly recommend exercise therapy as a first-line treatment for chronic pain.
Why the change? Because the evidence is clear: exercise is effective, safe, affordable, and improves more than just physical symptoms. It helps people move better, feel better, and live better.
What This Means for Australians
Australia is aligning with this new global direction. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released a draft Low Back Pain Clinical Care Standard, also highlighting non-drug treatments—especially physical activity—as the preferred first step in managing pain.
This approach is supported by the National Strategic Action Plan for Pain Management, which prioritises improving access to holistic, evidence-based care. As part of this, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) continues to advocate for the crucial role of Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) in guiding people through movement-based pain management.
How Exercise Helps with Chronic Pain
As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, I often explain to clients that exercise is more than just movement—it’s medicine for the body and brain. Here’s why it works:
- 🧠 Reduces pain signals: Exercise stimulates the release of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that help dampen pain responses.
- 🔥 Lowers inflammation: Regular movement supports healthy immune function and reduces the inflammatory processes linked to chronic pain.
- 💪 Restores function: Exercise improves strength, mobility, balance, and energy—giving people confidence and freedom in their daily lives.
- 💚 Supports mental health: Physical activity has powerful mood-boosting effects and can ease anxiety and depression, which often co-exist with chronic pain.
- 🚫 No side effects: Unlike pain medications, exercise doesn’t carry risks like dependency or long-term health impacts.
Just 20 minutes a day of movement—whether it’s walking, gentle strength training, or mind-body practices like yoga—can begin to shift the experience of chronic pain. And after 1–2 months of regular, personalised exercise, many people experience meaningful improvements in pain and overall wellbeing.
Tailored, Person-Centred Care
Importantly, the NICE guideline and Australian standards both recommend that care be individualised and person-centred. There’s no one-size-fits-all exercise program for chronic pain. The best results come when treatment is guided by someone who understands your body, your health conditions, your preferences, and your lifestyle.
As an AEP and holistic health practitioner, I combine evidence-based clinical exercise prescription with other supportive therapies—like yoga, breathwork, and nutrition—to address the whole person. This integrated approach supports long-term healing, not just symptom relief.
You Don’t Have to “Push Through”
Chronic pain is real, and the journey to recovery takes compassion, patience, and the right support. If you’re living with persistent pain, you don’t have to “tough it out” or rely only on medications. Movement—when done safely, gently, and with guidance—can be a powerful part of your healing process.
Ready to Move Toward Relief?
If you’d like to explore how a personalised exercise or movement program can support your pain management journey, I’m here to help. Together, we can find simple, sustainable ways to help your body move and feel better. Get in touch today.
