Different Kinds of Pain
There are a few different types of pain. These types depend on where they are and how they affect the body.
Somatic
Somatic pain is a sore or aching type of pain found in the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and skin. Chronic pain of this type can benefit from exercise. Somatic pain includes headaches, arthritis, and tendonitis as examples.
Visceral
Visceral pain is a deep cramp-like pain that comes from things such as labor, kidney stones, and gallstones. Chronic visceral pain is likely from irritable bowel syndrome. Exercise doesn’t help this type of pain, but medications will.
Neuropathic
Neuropathic pain is a burning or tingle-type of pain. Types of neuropathic pain include carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic neuralgia. Pain like this needs anti-seizure medications instead of anti-inflammatory drugs. It must treat the underlying cause of the pain first and then may be helped by exercise.
Mixed
A fourth, mixed, type combines neuropathic and somatic pain. There is treatment for this, but it includes a combination of medications and exercises to help. There is usually not a single cause for this type of pain.