Study shows exercise can boost pain tolerance.

Regular exercise is an effective way to reduce or prevent chronic pain without the use of medication, according to a recent study published in the journal PLOS One. Researchers found that engaging in habitual physical activity in leisure time is connected with pain tolerance, and the more active a person is, the higher their tolerance is likely to be. The study analyzed a sample of 10,732 participants from Norway's largest population study and found that any activity level was better than being sedentary in terms of pain tolerance. The results were consistent for those who were already experiencing chronic pain, and no difference was seen between women and men.