Medicine and Exercise for Wellbeing: Effective Diagnosis and Non-Pharmacological Treatment in Chronic Conditions and Pain

Dear Colleagues,

Chronic diseases represent one of the greatest challenges in modern clinical practice, requiring a multidisciplinary approach that considers the various factors contributing to their manifestation and maintenance. Millions of people worldwide are affected by chronic conditions, such as metabolic diseases, cardiovascular conditions, and persistent pain, leading to functional limitations, decreased quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization.

Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common causes of chronic pain and are often associated with psychosocial and behavioral factors, complicating treatment. Additionally, chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses frequently coexist with pain, further highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches. Accurate assessment methods, including self-assessment scales and imaging diagnostic tools, are critical for developing individualized treatment strategies. Emerging studies emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach that integrates these assessment methods with therapeutic interventions and psychosocial support. Non-pharmacological interventions—such as physical exercise, physical therapy, and behavioral therapies—have proven effective in managing various chronic conditions, including pain.

Physical exercise is particularly recognized as a powerful tool for improving function and reducing the impact of chronic diseases. Additionally, pain management techniques that incorporate cognitive–behavioral therapy and mindfulness practices help address the psychosocial aspects of chronic conditions. The integration of these interventions—combining precise assessments with multidisciplinary treatments—offers an effective and comprehensive approach to managing chronic conditions. This Special Issue aims to explore the intersection of diagnostic methods, therapeutic approaches, and the implications of chronic diseases for public health.

Topics to be covered include:

• Assessment Methods and Self-Assessment Tools: the importance and effectiveness of these methods in chronic disease rehabilitation and chronic pain management.
• Non-Pharmacological Therapeutic Resources: the role of physical exercise, physical therapy, and behavioral interventions in managing musculoskeletal and metabolic chronic diseases, including chronic pain.
• Advances in the Diagnosis of Chronic Diseases: imaging technologies and new diagnostic approaches for chronic diseases and chronic pain.
• Psychosocial Aspects of Chronic Diseases: the impact of mental health on the experience of chronic pain and other chronic conditions.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: the role of multidisciplinary teams in managing chronic diseases and chronic pain.
• Clinical and Public Health Implications: the burden of chronic diseases and chronic pain on healthcare systems and prevention strategies.

This Special Issue of the Journal of Clinical Medicine will accept submissions of research articles, review articles, and systematic reviews.

Dr. Pedro Miguel Forte
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• chronic pain
• physical exercise
• diagnosis
• chronic conditions
• pain management