Chronic Pain Overview

Chronic or persistent pain is pain which is longstanding, usually for at least 3 months. At Free2Move our Physiotherapists have a special interest in treating persistent pain conditions, which often require a different approach. This means addressing the cause of the pain, not just relieving symptoms.

Causes

Back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines, jaw pain (TMJ pain) and arthritis are examples of conditions which may become chronic. Fibromyalgia, cancer and irritable bowel syndrome are others. Sometimes it has a known pathological or structural cause, such as in a disc herniation or trochanteric bursitis. Other times no specific cause can be identified.

Recent research suggests that when pain has been present for over 3 months, sensitisation of the nervous system occurs. Although many people with this type of pain believe they have a high pain threshold, long-standing pain actually results in neurological changes which increase your sensitivity to pain.

How We Can Help

To change longstanding pain, it’s usually necessary to change the way your brain and nervous system function in relation to pain. The Feldenkrais Method, which is supported by the latest neuro-science, is designed to change the way your brain organises your movement and posture.

Principal Physiotherapist Jodie Krantz qualified as a Feldenkrais Practitioner in 1999 and has a special interest in treating persistent pain conditions. For 7 years Jodie taught Feldenkrais as part of the Bunbury Pain Management Programme. Feldenkrais is a whole body approach, but unlike Yoga or Pilates, it is not about exercise – it’s about learning to move differently.

Read More about the Feldenkrais Method

Read More about Living with Chronic Pain