Chronic Pain - Osteopathy One

Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that is associated with tissue damage and is a protective mechanism that the body uses to help keep us safe. Each individual may respond differently to pain due to various social, biological or psychological factors. Acute pain often occurs suddenly from a known cause and resolves relatively quickly within three months.Chronic pain occurs when pain lasts for over three months. The persistent nature of the pain causes the body to become overprotective and can make an individual feel pain when their tissues are in fact safe. Chronic pain can have a negative impact on those who experience it and their families. The pain can impact not only how someone feels but their overall health including; their sleep, mood, behaviour and exercise.

Examples of causes of chronic pain can include;

Osteoarthritis
Low back pain
Bursitis
Fibromyalgia
Osteoporosis
Migraines
Peripheral neuropathy

In 2020 it was reported that 1 in 5 Australians (3.6 million people) suffer from chronic pain. Pain Australia has more alarming statistics on the impact of Chronic pain in Australia https://www.painaustralia.org.au/about-pain/painaustralia-painful-facts .

National Pain Week is from the 25th July – 31st July 2022 and is coordinated by Chronic Pain Australia. Chronic Pain Australia is a non- profit organisation aiming to reduce the social and economic barriers for those who live with chronic pain.

Medication is currently the most used treatment for chronic pain, although a holistic and multidisciplinary approach is now being considered as best practice. Osteopathy can help with chronic pain by utilising education, manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation tailored to each patient’s needs.

Henderson, J., Harrison, C., Britt, H., Bayram, C., & Miller, G. (2013). Prevalence, Causes, Severity, Impact, and Management of Chronic Pain in Australian General Practice Patients. Pain Medicine, 14(9), 1346-1361. doi: 10.1111/pme.12195

Author: Dr Michaela Bidmade