Chronic pain can be an extremely distressing experience, and requires specialist understanding and knowledge to manage effectively for lasting relief.
As pain persists the body adapts, and this can lead to ongoing discomfort and disability – even after the underlying physical injury / trauma has been treated.
In more significant cases this can result in neurological sensitisation, altered movement patterns, fear / avoidance behaviours, mood changes (depression, anxiety), and poor sleep. These factors can work in a negative feedback loop resulting in a steady decline in function and increase in pain.
Our specially trained therapists will work with you to find the best possible pathway to recovery and help you return to the activities and life you value.
Chronic Regional Pain (CRPS)
CRPS is a complex condition that typically appears as persistent, ongoing pain around the hand / wrist, or the ankle and foot after an injury.
It can present with any or all of the following: skin discolouration, high sensitivity to touch and movement, temperature changes, unusual or excessive hair growth, burning, pins + needles, swelling, altered movement (sometimes partial or complete paralysis).
As it involves both biomechanical and neurological components, it requires individualised treatment plans to help address the physical elements. This may include stretching, strengthening and gradual return to activity along with education, visualisation, and desensitisation techniques to help alleviate hypersensitivity.
Chronic Lower Back Pain
Persistent lower back pain is surprisingly common and can arise with or without trauma to the region. It can have a wide range of contributing factors that need to be addressed including physical factors (posture, strength, flexibility) as well as psychological and environmental factors (stress, distress, poor sleep, mood disorders, and many others).
Understanding how these contribute to your pain can help alleviate worry and enable an effective, individualised approach to your lower back pain treatment.
We can help relieve you of pain by developing an individual rehab program based on your specific injury. This involves the use of manual therapy to release the affected areas, combined with appropriate stretching, strengthening, and movement retraining to help regain function.
Persistent Neck Pain
Ongoing neck pain can occur for a range of reasons, but is often related to posture, lifestyle, stress, and lack of movement.
We use a mix of hands-on treatment along with stretching, strengthening, and postural retraining. This helps alleviate pain, enhance your range of movement, and address any postural issues you may have.
Arthritic Conditions
Osteoarthritis and Rheaumatoid Arthritis can occur at any age, but are more common as we age.
Often people feel that rest is the best option as this can be less painful in the short-term. However it is well proven that exercise to regain or maintain strength and flexibility creates much better long-term outcomes.
We can provide hands-on techniques (massage and manual therapy) and develop a bespoke exercise program to target the area of concern to reduce joint pain.
Migraines & Headaches
Migraines often have multiple contributing factors, including mechanical factors (such as muscle tightness, joint stiffness, and poor posture) combined with other lifestyle factors such as (stress, low mood, poor sleep patterns, low exercise levels, and neurological hypervigilance).
Through a blend of manual therapy, stretching, strengthening, and education, we target mechanical factors to reduce pain and enhance function. This triggers a positive feedback loop that can lead to improved sleep, mood, and overall wellbeing.
Whiplash
Whiplash results from a forceful and swift 'back-and-forth' motion of the neck, often linked to car accidents. Even when there is no apparent visible injury, and traditional scans like X-rays and MRIs don't show clear trauma, pain can persist for extended periods. It is not uncommon to experience lingering issues for years following the incident.
Through thorough assessment and effective treatment, we can restore full function, strength, and flexibility. Additionally, addressing movement anxiety and mitigating fear / avoidance behaviours related to the neck and shoulder region as part of the process.
Anklylosing Spondylitis
AS is an inflammatory disease around the spine. It most commonly presents as ongoing stiffness around the lower back and neck region, particularly in the mornings.
In more advanced cases this inflammation can lead to new bone formation in the spine, causing sections of the spine to fuse in a fixed, immobile position.
Getting an early diagnosis is crucial because recent advancements in medication, paired with suitable exercises, can significantly slow down the progression of the disease and assist in managing joint pain effectively.
For more information visit https://www.arthritis.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/4506_art_AS_newImages_4-0.pdf