What is Chronic pain?

Chronic is classified as pain that last beyond the normal healing time of 3 to 6 months for an illness or injury (1). Chronic pain is a complex condition, and the severity of pain can be very mild to extremely severe. Chronic pain is most commonly determined by someone experiencing symptoms that are ongoing and occur on most days of the week (1). The reason that Chronic pain occurs is unknown and is different from person to person. Originally pain was thought to have occurred solely due to biological tissue damage, however, more recent research highlights that pain is complex in nature and that both psychological and social factors play a major role in a person’s pain experience (2). This is not to say that a person’s pain is not real or ‘it is all in someone’s head’. The experience of pain is very real, and a person cannot experience pain without pain existing. Current evidence suggests that a better approach to pain management is to adopt a biopsychosocial approach (2). These factors could include:

· Biological: physical health, tissue damage, tissue healing

· Psychological: emotions, behaviours, mental health

· Social: environment, social support structures, relationships

All these factors play an extremely important role in a person’s pain experience and proper understanding of these factors can assist in returning a person to meaningful activities in which they once enjoyed.

Returning to physical activity

Returning to physical activity with persistent pain can be a scary thought. Included is a link to a video and webpage by Professor Lorimer Moseley titled “Tame the Beast”(3). This is an informative video highlighting a new way to approach persistent pain and a new different way of thinking. There is also a plethora of information to help educate and hopefully inspire those with persistent pain to reach out for help to move again and return to their meaningful activities. For further information please speak to your Doctor and book into see our exercise physiologists. https://www.tamethebeast.org/

1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Chronic Pain in Australia [Internet]. Infocus. 2020 [cited 2023 May 18]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/10434b6f-2147-46ab-b654-a90f05592d35/aihw-phe-267.pdf.aspx?inline=true#:~:text=Chronic%20pain%20is%20pain%20that,most%20days%20of%20the%20week.

2. Palsson TS, Gibson W, Darlow B, Bunzli S, Lehman G, Rabey M, et al. Changing the narrative in diagnosis and management of pain in the sacroiliac joint area. Phys Ther. 2019;99(11):1511–9.

3. Moseley L, Moen D. Tame the Beast [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 May 18]. Available from: https://www.tamethebeast.org/#tame-the-beast