Let’s talk about something that affects 1 in 5 Australians – and no, it’s not coffee addiction (though we’re not denying that one). We’re talking about chronic pain. If you’ve ever thought, “Why is this pain still hanging around after weeks or months?” you’re not alone. As physios, we see it all the time – and we’re here to help you make sense of it and take charge.
For a long time, people believed that receptors in our body sent messages of pain up to the brain. However, the more correct explanation is that we still have receptors in our body, but instead of sending pain messages, they simply send information to the brain. Your brain is the one that decides if that information poses a threat to the system, and if so, then the brain will send a message of pain back down to the area where the threat came from – in short, pain is not the message coming in; it is the message going back out.
pain is not the message coming in; it is the message going back out
Essentially, pain is your body’s alarm system. It goes off when something’s wrong – like when you twist your ankle or touch something hot. This kind of pain is helpful – it tells us to protect and heal.
Chronic pain, on the other hand, is pain that hangs around for longer than 3 months and can linger even after the original injury or issue has healed. It’s like your body’s alarm system got stuck in “ON” mode. Helpful in the short term, but long term – not helpful, and certainly not fun.
Sometimes, after an injury, our nervous system becomes more sensitive and continues to send pain signals – even when the original injury has healed.
3. Stress, sleep and emotions matter
There are so many different factors that can play a part in how and why our brain perceives information to be a threat. For e.g. mood – if we were in a state of panic or anxiety, we are much more likely to perceive anything going on around us to be a threat compared to if we were happy, confident and self-assured.
If you are experiencing chronic pain, there are a number of strategies that you can use to assist.
Here’s the good news: there is something you can do and physiotherapy can certainly help you along the way.
Understanding pain takes away some of its power. Knowing that chronic pain doesn’t always mean damage helps people move with more confidence.
Motion is lotion! Through consistent movement and gradually doing more, we can help desensitise your nervous system. It’s not about pushing through pain – it’s about teaching your body it’s safe to move again.
By building muscle, endurance and improving mobility, exercise can help your regain movement, support your joints, protect you from further injury and feel more confident.
Manual therapy can help to reduce pain by desensitising the area, improve range of motion and promote blood flow into the affected area. Manual therapy as a skill has been lost by many physiotherapists, but at The Healthy Body Company, this remains an important part of our “tool kit”.
Chronic pain is a puzzle – lifestyle changes like sleep, stress, diet and daily routine can make a huge difference.
Chronic pain might be a part of your life right now, but it doesn’t define you. You are strong, adaptable, and capable of change. Your body can learn, heal, and feel good again.
And if you every feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start – your physio’s got your back (and neck, and knees, and… well, you get it).
The Healthy Body Company has clinics in Penrith, Mount Annan, Jordan Springs and Caringbah and a team of over 21 physiotherapists.
