Behavioural activation: Re-engaging With Life When Living With Chronic Pain

Behavioural activation: Re-engaging With Life When Living With Chronic Pain

Joon Choi

Persistent pain affects more than the body. It influences mood, motivation, daily routines, and how people participate in activities that matter to them (Nicholas, Costa & Hancock, 2023). Over time, many individuals notice that their world becomes smaller. They withdraw from social situations, physical tasks, and enjoyable activities. Read more…

The role of Lumbopelvic Motor Control in Chronic Low Back Pain

The role of Lumbopelvic Motor Control in Chronic Low Back Pain

Adam Turnbull

Chronic low back pain is complex and can be influenced by several different factors.  Pain can come from irritated or overloaded tissues such as muscles, joints, or ligaments and this is known as nociceptive pain.  Neuropathic pain occurs when a nerve itself becomes irritated or compressed, while nociplastic pain arises from changes in how the nervous system processes pain. Read more…

Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Understanding Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Mat Foreman

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition that typically affects a limb following an injury. Characterized by prolonged or excessive pain and changes in skin colour, temperature, and swelling, CRPS is believed to result from dysfunction of the nervous system. CRPS can significantly impact a person's quality of life, making early diagnosis and treatment crucial. Read more…

Graded Activity in Pain Management: Reclaiming Function Through Meaningful Goals

Graded Activity in Pain Management: Reclaiming Function Through Meaningful Goals

Junze Chen

Graded activity is a core intervention in pain management that helps individuals progressively return to meaningful daily tasks. While physiotherapists have traditionally focused on graded exercise, graded activity is now recognised as the foundation for helping people regain function, reduce pain interference, achieve goals, and re-engage with life. Read more…

Supporting Recovery from Cervical Radiculopathy

Supporting Recovery from Cervical Radiculopathy

Patrick Ho

Cervical radiculopathy, often called a “pinched nerve,” happens when a nerve in the neck is irritated or squeezed. This can lead to pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the neck, shoulder, arm, or hand. The good news is that most people feel a lot better within 4 to 6 months with non-surgical treatment, and many keep feeling good for years (Kang et al., 2020). Still, getting the right diagnosis and a care plan from qualified health professionals is important for the best recovery. Read more…

Sleep and Pain

Sleep and Pain

Joon Choi

Poor sleep is often an issue that many of those with chronic pain experience. Pain can disrupt sleep, and in turn, this lack of sleep can heighten sensitivity to pain, resulting in a cycle that negatively impacts both physical and mental well-being. Improving sleep for those with chronic pain requires a multi-factorial approach that addresses both the physical and psychological factors that contribute to sleep difficulties. Read more…

Finding Inner Peace Amidst Pain: Mindfulness Practice after a Road Traffic Injury

Finding Inner Peace Amidst Pain: Mindfulness Practice after a Road Traffic Injury

Junze Chen

Every year, thousands of Australians face the aftermath of road accidents. Statistics reveal the harsh reality: 11% of injury hospitalizations and 10% of injury deaths stem from transport accidents (Health & Welfare, 2023). These incidents often lead to debilitating consequences, including disability, psychological distress, and chronic pain. Read more…

Walking Programs: An Integral Part Of Multi-Disciplinary Pain Management

Walking Programs: An Integral Part Of Multi-Disciplinary Pain Management

Matthew Richards

Chronic pain conditions are a significant cause of disability. Low back pain, for example, was one of the top 10 contributors to increasing health loss worldwide over the 30 years to 2019.  Evidence-based interventions to enhance mobility and well-being are therefore important, and there is a significant bank of evidence that exercise is effective for pain and function in the treatment of chronic low back pain. Read more…

Shoulder Instability Diagnosis and Treatment

Shoulder Instability Diagnosis and Treatment

Campbell Hogan

The shoulder is one of the most fascinating joints in the human body. The incredible capabilities of the shoulder require a complex stabilisation system comprising of bone, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the shoulder joint capsule.  When there is a disruption or imbalance in this system, shoulder instability can develop leading to pain and reduced shoulder function. Read more…