Exercise as Medicine: Tackling Chronic Pain and Depression to Boost Quality of Life—A Narrative Review

Depression and chronic pain are prevalent and often co-occurring conditions that pose substantial treatment challenges and economic burdens in the developed world. Research suggests that depression and chronic pain share overlapping pathways, particularly within the anterior cingulate cortex, which plays a critical role in emotional regulation and pain perception. Research indicates that exercise may alleviate depression. Given the shared neurobiology between depression and chronic pain, it is plausible that exercise could improve outcomes for individuals experiencing depression and chronic pain. Therefore, this review aims to provide clinicians with evidence-based tools to assess the role of exercise in the management of patients with coexistent pain and depression.