Physical and Psychological Intervention

At Capital Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic, we recognise that effective pain management requires a holistic approach that addresses both the body and mind. Our physical interventions include physiotherapy, rehabilitation programs, and movement-based therapies designed to improve strength, flexibility, and overall function. 

Our experienced physical and psychological treatment teams are fully focused on you. We tailor our evidence-based treatments towards you. We implement both passive and active treatments to help reduce your pain and achieve your goals.

Physiotherapy

Get lasting results.

Physiotherapy uses a clinical reasoning process to specifically diagnose areas of the body and movement patterns that need optimisation. There may be weakness or tightness in certain muscles which affect the way the joint and associated areas move – biomechanics. This is done by obtaining a good history of how the injury occurred and/or which specific movements cause pain, as well as observing the way the affected part moves and doing other objective tests (nerve, muscle and joint tests). Any part of the body that has a nerve supply can potentially cause pain and it is not always easy to determine the exact cause of pain. Pain is often referred from another area. Once pain has been present for 3 months there is evidence that areas of the brain associated with the painful part change. These parts of the brain can be affected by other parts of the brain, such as emotional areas, memory etc. This is why stress and previous trauma can perpetuate pain. Pain is also affected by the immune and autonomic (i.e. Flight Fright Response) systems of the body.

Physiotherapy will stretch tight muscles, strengthen weak muscles, and improve stability of the affected area. Often “hands on” or mobilisation is done to move joints that are stiff and to relax muscle spasm. Also, Education about posture and staying mobile are important. Some people with chronic pain conditions require treatment of the brain using virtual images on the computer, and mirror boxes to try to trick the brain into recognising the affected part as being ‘normal’ again.

Taping is also available for a variety of joints and injuries.

Psychology/Counselling

Helping you get back on track.

Pain is a very unpleasant experience which can cause significant differences to the way you would normally view the ‘world’. It can cause people to think, feel and do things differently. Similarly, the way people view their own pain can affect their thinking processes, emotions and the way they behave. Seeking psychological assistance allows people to better understand the nature of their pain and develop more efficient ways to ensure pain becomes less intrusive of everyday life.

Stress in itself can have an adverse effect on pain. A psychologist is capable of treating and teaching people appropriate relaxation techniques and stress reduction strategies. These strategies and techniques include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitisation Response (EMDR), Psychoeducation, Compassion Focused Therapy and …

Psychology and Counselling – people are helped to evaluate and modify any unrealistic beliefs, unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and develop optimal self-help skills to maximise their psychological wellbeing, self-esteem, motivation, physical self-care, anxiety and depression. These skills are designed to reduce the behavioural, motivational, emotional, cognitive and physical symptoms of psychosocial distress that pain can cause.

Mindfulness – A technique focused on helping people live in the present and notice what they are experiencing in an open, non-judgemental way. The techniques of Mindfulness practice train the mind to be relaxed and open in the presence of all experiences. Pleasant experiences like delicious food or beautiful scenery becomes more enjoyable as people learn to be more present with life. Unpleasant experiences like pain tend to be less stressful and less dominating.

Seeing a psychologist or counsellor may help reduce the perceived level of importance of pain. Psychologists or counsellors will help facilitate health producing behaviours, minimise adverse pain management methods and help individuals become less reactive to their pain.

Exercise Physiology

Move better for longer.

Exercise Physiology utilises specified exercise prescription to help manage and treat a variety of conditions. Our team is capable of delivering rehabilitation and management programs for chronic pain, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular and/or pulmonary conditions, reconditioning during and after cancer treatment, and chronic conditions such as diabetes. Exercise Physiologists are trained to observe movement and identify areas for improvement to enhance overall function and reduce pain. Evidence-based exercise interventions are implemented to ensure.

Rehabilitation Gym

At Capital Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic we house a rehabilitation-specific gym. The equipment used within the gym is designed to reduce risk that is often associated with commercial gyms in order to make the rehabilitation environment as safe as possible.

Multi-Cervical Unit (MCU)

The MCU is a specialised piece of equipment specifically designed to efficiently rehabilitate neck injuries and alleviate neck pain. As the MCU uses a cable system, gentle tension is created throughout the entire range of motion of the neck musculature which allows for greater overall strength and mobility improvements. The cable system also always for a gradual progression of load over a number  of weeks, yielding the greatest strength improvements. The design of the MCU allows for individual neck muscles to be isolated and problems muscles to be accessed. Re-engaging the neck muscles in movement stimulates blood flow to the area and results in improved mobility and reduced muscle tightness. Individuals who  live with all forms of neck pain as a result of arthritis, a whiplash injury, facet joint dysfunction or cervical disc bulge benefit from the MCU. An intensive progressive neck strengthening program completed on the MCU is a successful, safe and well tolerated therapy for chronic neck pain patients, including those who have not responded to other treatments.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy utilises water-based exercises to ensure movement becomes more achievable. Hydrotherapy allows for painful joint  and areas to be mobilised with reduced loading and is the perfect starting point for people who do not regularly exercise to transition towards a more active lifestyle. The exercises completed in the pool are designed to improve mobility, strength and endurance to help optimise overall function.

Acupuncture

Find your QI

Acupuncture involves inserting small needles into various points ("acupoints") in the body to stimulate nerve impulses. It is based on the idea of 'qi' vital energy) which is said to travel around the body along 'meridians'; which the acupuncture points affect. It affects nerve impulses and the central nervous system. Acupuncture has been widely used for pain relief in many western countries.

Low-level laser therapy

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation, is a noninvasive treatment that uses low-intensity light to stimulate biochemical changes in cells, aiding in tissue repair and reducing inflammation. It is commonly used in various medical fields, including physiotherapy, to treat musculoskeletal conditions. LLLT is often referred to as red light therapy or cold laser therapy, and it is recognised for its ability to promote healing without causing heat or discomfort by stimulating the subcutaneous immune and pain fibre systems. (adapted from Wikipedia).

Soft-Tissue Therapy

Massage therapy eases stress and tension promoting total relaxation.

Massage therapy eases stress and tension promoting total relaxation. It also stimulates blood and lymph circulation allowing removal of toxins from muscles. Remedial massage uses different specialised hands on techniques to improve joint function, reduce stiffness and improve efficiency of movement.