Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Exercise is the most recommended treatment for chronic low back pain (CLBP) and is effective in reducing pain, but the mechanisms underlying its effects remain poorly understood. Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) may play a role and is thought to be driven by central pain modulation mechanisms. However, EIH appears to be disrupted in many chronic pain conditions and its presence in people with CLBP remains unclear. As people suffering from chronic pain often exhibit psychological factors and central sensitization symptoms influencing pain perception, EIH might be associated with these factors. ⋯ The lower EIH following wrist exercises may represent an alteration in pain modulation control in CLBP. However, psychological factors and central sensitization symptoms may not explain the differences observed.