175. How Exercise Relieves Pain: 4 Pathways Every PT Should Know

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This episode explains how exercise can act as pain relief, addressing common patient concerns about exercise hurting and offering an alternative or complement to medications and passive treatments. We outline four key pain-modulating mechanisms: central modulation at the brain and spinal cord, immune and inflammatory changes, peripheral tissue and nerve effects, and psychological/behavioral pathways. 

00:00 Welcome to PT Snacks
00:57 Does Exercise Hurt?
03:08 Four Pain Relief Pathways
03:44 Brain and Spinal Cord
05:28 Immune Inflammation Shift
06:10 Peripheral Tissue Effects
06:50 Psychology and Behavior
07:24 Choosing the Right Dose
09:44 Educate Without Jargon
10:48 Wrap Up and Connect

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