Elucidation of the mechanisms of exercise-induced hypoalgesia and pain prolongation due to physical stress and the restriction of movement

Kenichi Tanaka; Naoko Kuzumaki; Yusuke Hamada; Yukari Suda; Tomohisa Mori; Yasuyuki Nagumo; Minoru Narita

doi:10.1016/j.ynpai.2023.100133

Elucidation of the mechanisms of exercise-induced hypoalgesia and pain prolongation due to physical stress and the restriction of movement

Neurobiol Pain. 2023 May 22:14:100133. doi: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2023.100133. eCollection 2023 Aug-Dec.

Authors

Kenichi Tanaka^{1

2}, Naoko Kuzumaki^{1

2}, Yusuke Hamada^{1

2}, Yukari Suda^{1

2}, Tomohisa Mori¹, Yasuyuki Nagumo², Minoru Narita^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmacology, Hoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-4-41 Ebara, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan.
² Division of Cancer Pathophysiology, National Cancer Center Research Institute, 5-1-1 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.

Abstract

Persistent pain signals cause brain dysfunction and can further prolong pain. In addition, the physical restriction of movement (e.g., by a cast) can cause stress and prolong pain. Recently, it has been recognized that exercise therapy including rehabilitation is effective for alleviating chronic pain. On the other hand, physical stress and the restriction of movement can prolong pain. In this review, we discuss the neural circuits involved in the control of pain prolongation and the mechanisms of exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH). We also discuss the importance of the mesolimbic dopaminergic network in these phenomena.

Keywords: Brain reward system; Exercise-induced hypoalgesia; Mesolimbic dopaminergic network; Pain prolongation; Stress.

Publication types

Review