ALL THE DOCTORS WE INTERVIEWED were well aware that the focus of this article is new drugs for pain. Yet when we asked about relief for osteoporosis, arthritis and other joints, muscle and back problem, one of the first recommendations from virtually everyone was the same: exercise.

If I could get people with chronic pain to walk in warm swimming pool three times a week, their need for painkillers would drop dramatically. Exercise helps activate the body's opioid system," says Dr. Merrill.
"It's also the way to improve fibromyalgia pain." And one arthritis study after another has shown that people both hurt less and move better when they exercise regularly – especially when they work out with light weights.

The American Geriatrics Society guidelines go even further: "Exercise should be a part of the care of all older patients troubled by chronic pain no matter what the cause.

The AGS recommendation: Begin with two to three months of supervised training by an expert, then stick with the moderate exercise "indefinitely."