Medication and treatments for persistent pain

Physiotherapy

A physiotherapist has specialist knowledge about the way the body works. They have an understanding and experience of how the nerves, bones, muscles, tendons, joints and ligaments work together.

Often people living with persistent pain move in awkward ways to try to protect their body, but this can make pain worse in the long run. As they understand the way the body works, physiotherapists can identify problems in the way someone moves.

The physiotherapist will coach and guide you through a range of activities or exercise skills in order to gradually increase your stamina, strength and flexibility.

A physiotherapist will often not actually touch you, but focus more on helping you to gain confidence in your own mobility. 

Physiotherapists who work with people in persistent pain will often also focus on the same core skills for managing persistent pain that other health practitioners will teach such as pacing, problem solving and managing set-backs.

Your GP practice can advise you on whether you need to see a physiotherapist.