Exercise offers health benefits for people regardless of whether or not they are suffering from pain. However, exercise programs can have special benefits for those suffering from various types of pain, including:

• Back pain. Exercise can help speed recovery from back problems and increase flexibility and strength so that injuries do not recur in the future. Exercise may also reduce back muscle spasms and hydrate intervertebral discs that become painful when they lose fluid. Back pain is usually treated by non-weightbearing exercises. For conditions ranging from herniated discs to scoliosis, exercise therapy may be prescribed to improve posture, flexibility and strength.

• Headaches. Exercises such as regular swimming can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines and tension headaches.

• Neck pain. Flexibility and strength exercises can increase the fitness of neck muscles and reduce or help prevent pain in that area. Range-of-motion exercises are often recommended to improve mobility and function after whiplash.
  
  
• Shoulder pain. Many causes of shoulder trauma, such as fractures, dislocation, separation or a torn rotator cuff, require short-term immobilization, followed by exercise to regain mobility and strength. Joint-restricting chronic conditions such as frozen shoulder or tendinitis often benefit from range-of-motion activities.
  
  
• Pelvic pain and sexual pain. General exercise may help relieve conditions including benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, prostatodynia, interstitial cystitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles through repeated contraction and relaxation, can help prevent urinary incontinence and vaginal or uterine prolapse.
  
  
• Leg pain. Exercise is often recommended to ease circulatory or nerve problems that cause leg pain, such as peripheral artery disease or neuropathy.

• Arthritis. Exercise strengthens muscles around joints, which allows the joints to pull apart and reduce the grinding that leads to further joint deterioration and pain. Exercise for arthritis often includes range-of-motion exercises to reduce stiffness and endurance exercises to reduce inflammation in joints.
  
  
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Stretching and strengthening exercises may be part of the treatment plan for this source of wrist and arm pain.

• Osteoporosis. Weight-bearing exercises such as walking and aerobics help prevent this bone-thinning disorder, and moderate exercise can help people who already have osteoporosis maximize their balance, mobility, strength and daily functioning.
  
  
• TMJ disorder. Treatment of this cause of orofacial pain may include special exercises.
  
  
• Fibromyalgia. Studies show that aerobic exercise, such as swimming, walking or running, improves muscle fitness and reduces muscle pain and tenderness. Exercise can also improve muscle endurance.
  
  
• Fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome. Moderate exercise can reduce fatigue by enhancing mood, energy, endurance and appetite.
  
  
• Myofascial pain syndrome. Treatment of this musculoskeletal disorder may include physical therapy to stretch and strengthen affected muscles.
  
  
• Systemic lupus erythematosus. Rest may be required during flare-ups of this autoimmune disease, but physical activity during remissions can help patients cope.
  
  
• Myositis. Patients with this muscle disease who are at risk of joint contractures can benefit from low-impact exercises and active or passive range of motion.
  
  
• Polymyalgia rheumatica. Stretching and low-impact exercises are typically emphasized to promote flexibility in people with this muscle-stiffening disorder.
  
  
• Other sources of joint pain. For conditions ranging from sickle cell anemia to late-stage Lyme disease, a physician may suggest exercise therapy to reduce stress and maximize function.

Regular physical activity can help prevent many conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and some cancers. Routine moderate physical activity including adequate warm-ups and stretching may also help prevent athletic injuries common in underconditioned "weekend warriors," such as strains, sprains, plantar fasciitis, shin splints and Achilles tendon injuries.