Yes, physiotherapy can play a crucial role in managing chronic pain. By using various techniques such as exercise, manual therapy, and modalities like heat or cold therapy, physiotherapists help alleviate pain and improve mobility. The goal is to address the root cause of the pain, improve function, and prevent future injuries. Physiotherapy focuses on strengthening muscles, enhancing flexibility, and improving posture, which can all contribute to reducing pain over time. It’s particularly effective for conditions like arthritis, back pain, and sports injuries. Consulting a physiotherapist can offer a personalized approach to managing chronic pain effectively.
Did you know chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Australians aged 45 and over? Moreover, as per the 2024 National Pain Report by Chronic Pain Australia (CPA), 3.6 million Australians suffer from persistent, ongoing pain. The worst part? For millions of people, it goes undiagnosed for years.
Physiotherapy plays a meaningful and evidence-based role in addressing chronic pain. Research shows that it has a positive impact on pain management and day-to-day functions, even though it is not a complete cure.
If you’re suffering from chronic pain, this guide is for you. Let’s take a closer look at how physiotherapy can help manage it.
Common Causes of Chronic Pain
First, let’s rewind what exactly chronic pain is. It is persistent pain that lasts for more than 3 to 6 months, exceeding the expected time for recovery. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal response to trauma or tissue damage, chronic pain is much more complex and can impact the quality of life.
Chronic pain can be:
- Nociceptive – tissue damage
- Neuropathic – nerve damage
- Central sensitisation – brain hypersensitivity
Chronic pain can develop due to:
- An injury
- A surgery
- Nerve damage
- Musculoskeletal issues
- Underlying illnesses
- Psychological factors like stress or PTSD
How Physiotherapy Helps Manage Chronic Pain
So, where does physiotherapy come in? It helps people try to manage the impact of chronic pain on their lives. A physiotherapist analyses your symptoms and creates a personalised care plan. They might rely on the following methods:
Manual therapy
Manual physiotherapy involves hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilisation, and stretching to relieve pain. These techniques relax tight muscles, easing pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.
If post-surgery chronic pain is impacting your daily life, home care physiotherapy can be pretty effective. A trained physiotherapist would apply gentle pressure and use mobilisation techniques to free up stiff joints. This will make daily activities less painful. Stretching also helps reduce strain and increase flexibility.
Pain relief modalities
Physiotherapists also use pain relief modalities. These are therapeutic tools that can strengthen your body’s natural healing abilities. Common pain relief modalities include:
Thermotherapy (heat therapy) – relaxes muscles and improves blood flow
Cryotherapy (cold therapy) – decreases inflammation and swelling
Electrical stimulation – electrical current stimulates nerves and blocks pain signals
Self-management
Modern physiotherapy heavily focuses on self-management. The aim is to help people living with chronic pain take an active role in their healing over the long term.
Physiotherapists help patients understand the causes of chronic pain and how it impacts their bodies. Then, they teach them pace activities and relaxation techniques to prevent flare-ups. They also create individualised exercise programs so that a patient can take control of their journey.
The result? People learn to manage chronic pain outside the clinic.
Reduced medication dependence
Lastly, physiotherapy offers a drug-free approach to pain relief. People learn to manage chronic pain without relying on medication, improving overall health.
Physiotherapy empowers individuals suffering from chronic pain to regain control. They can do day-to-day tasks and improve their quality of life.
