Many studies show that gently increasing physical activity can lead to a decrease in pain severity, as well as improvements in physical function, mental health, and overall quality of life in people who have chronic pain. Many of these studies have been done in patients who have chronic low back pain or fibromyalgia, but there is evidence that people with chronic pelvic pain have similar benefits. People who have endometriosis have reported that physical activity such as yoga helps to improve pain, quality of life, and overall well-being. People who have IBS have reported that physical activity helps to improve bowel function, sleep, mood, energy, and overall quality of life. Some studies have shown that physical activity may improve sexual function.
We do not fully understand why physical activity may lead to decreased pain. Physical activity has anti-inflammatory and pro-immune system benefits, which could be beneficial in conditions like endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome where these processes play a key role. Physical activity appears to alter pain signaling and processing pathways, which are often abnormally activated in people who have chronic pain conditions. For example, levels of some neurotransmitters that relieve pain increase when you are physically active. Finally, physical activity also seems have a psychological effect on pain. People who have chronic pain often feel that they have minimal control over their symptoms, and physical activity appears to increase that sense of control or “self-efficacy.” We also know that physical activity may improve mental health symptoms such as depression and anxiety, which are very common in people who have chronic pain conditions. We do not think that chronic pain directly results from conditions like depression and anxiety, but people who have depression or anxiety in addition to chronic pain appear to suffer from more severe symptoms. So, improving mental health symptoms may positively impact both pain and quality of life.