03/01/2021
❓Have you ever considered that the words you use might impact the effect an exercise has on pain?
A recent study investigated the concepts of exercise induced hypoalgesia dependent on the words used before the exercise began.
The study separated participants into three groups:
1️⃣One group received positive information stating exercise helps reduce pain,
2️⃣Another group received negative information stating exercise may result in increased pain, and
3️⃣The third group received neutral information.
Pain pressure thresholds were examined in the quads at baseline and again in the same area post exercise.
It was suspected that due to exercise induced hypoalgesia, participants should be able to experience higher pain pressure thresholds post exercise.
❗Interestingly enough, only the positive and neutral information participants were able to show increased pain pressure thresholds with the negative information group actually showing decreased pain pressure thresholds.
❗The results of this study show that reporting either positive or neutral statements regarding pain and exercise do not appear to make a difference in the effect of exercise induced hypoalgesia, but stating negative words actually shows a deleterious effect.
✅The words we use and how we use them can make all the difference in the way our patients perceive pain.
