Pain Management
Stop letting chronic pain control your life. Our physiotherapists offer evidence-based pain management strategies and hands-on treatment to address the root cause and restore your function.
What is it?
Chronic pain is an ongoing pain experience that lasts beyond normal healing time, usually over three months. The biopsychosocial approach explains it as more than just a physical issue—it’s influenced by the interaction of the body, mind, and environment.
Changes in the nervous system can keep pain signals active even after an injury heals. At the same time, stress, low mood, and fear of movement can heighten pain; while challenges in work, relationships, and daily activities can make it harder to recover.
This approach helps us understand chronic pain as a whole-person experience rather than just a symptom
Our Treatment approach
We take a holistic approach to assessment — not only focusing on the physical examination, but also exploring aspects such as sleep, diet, stress, and other factors that may influence your recovery.
While exercises and manual therapy play an important role, they are sometimes not enough on their own to achieve lasting improvement. We believe that addressing lifestyle, emotional wellbeing, and social factors is essential in supporting long-term recovery.
Our goal is to help you regain confidence and control in your life. By understanding the whole person rather than just the site of pain, the biopsychosocial approach offers a more compassionate and effective framework for healing — one that emphasizes education, movement, and gradual re-engagement in the activities that matter most to you.
How are we different?
What sets me apart is the breadth and depth of my knowledge in this field. My experience across a variety of clinical settings has allowed me to work with a wide spectrum of pain presentations — from acute post-operative pain and flare-ups to the management of chronic nociplastic pain within the community.
In addition, I have gained valuable insight through my postgraduate training at the University of Otago, where I am on track to complete a Master’s in Pain Management in 2026. The combination of extensive clinical experience and advanced academic training has equipped me with a nuanced understanding of pain management and the confidence to deliver evidence-based, patient-centred care.
If you’re seeking support to better understand and manage your pain, I’d be glad to work with you to develop a clear, personalised plan toward lasting improvement.
What to expect for the session
We will begin by taking a detailed history of your pain and how the symptoms have evolved over time. As part of this process, we will also be reviewing the other aspects of your health such as diet, sleep, and social or spiritual support. This will be followed by a comprehensive physical assessment that looks at the site of injury, current areas of pain and autonomic nervous systems.
As there are several tests involved, we may need to divide the assessment into multiple sessions depending on your tolerance. We will work at a pace that suits you and adjust the process to ensure your comfort and safety throughout.
If any acute issues are identified, we will proceed with the appropriate treatment and provide recommendations to help initiate your rehabilitation. Follow-up reviews will then be scheduled to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your care plan.
Should we identify any concerning findings, we will promptly escalate your care to ensure you receive the appropriate attention as soon as possible. We are also happy to collaborate with your ACC pain management providers and GP to support a coordinated and seamless recovery.