Are you one of the 3.24 million Australians experiencing chronic pain? Approximately 20 per cent of GP visits are related to chronic pain, so, what is the health system doing for you?

In fact, the health system is undergoing a bit of a revolution. We have discovered that using medication such as pain killers as our primary mode of care is not an effective long-term solution to pain.

Consequently, the government has just released its national strategic action plan for pain management. One of the primary missions of this plan is educating GPs about their options to refer to specialist health professionals such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, psychologists and nutritionists as this gives the best outcomes for people with pain conditions.

This multidisciplinary treatment model is called the biopsychosocial model. This approach aims to treat the individual as a whole. Pain affects all aspects of life and the whole-body effects can stretch much further than the site of pain. Pain management is much more complex than simply treating the pain, we must treat the whole person. We must treat pain; we must rehabilitate, and we must work to prevent new issues.

Docklands Health is a multidisciplinary health practice specialising in holistic care. All too often people see multiple health practitioners but unfortunately don’t get better. Docklands Health is a place where people can access high quality health care with health professionals that work with a holistic team-based approach. Collaboration and common patient-centred goals are pivotal in our treatment of pain conditions.

Once pain is under control, it is essential that strength and stability is established to prevent recurrent problems. The best way to achieve this is through physician-prescribed exercises. One of the best and increasingly utilised methods is pilates. Using a low impact, yet highly effective and personalised approach, pilates is a great method to achieve strength and stability to achieve your goals.

It’s important that the healthcare system adapts to this ever-increasing health issue as it has significant consequences for Australia; not least financially, with the cost of chronic pain estimated at $139.3 billion per year and projected to rise to $205.6 billion by 2050.

So, if you’re suffering, maybe take a fresh look and think about how the management of your musculoskeletal condition could be improved by a team-based and multi-modal approach.

About me…

I am a local chiropractor who has been practicing in Docklands for the past seven years. I have extensive experience in caring for the Docklands community and a special interest in neurology with advanced training in the treatment of conditions such as migraine, dizziness and vertigo among other neurological conditions. 

I am also a university lecturer teaching advanced clinical neurology and diagnosis.  When not in the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my two daughters and wife. As your new health and wellbeing columnist in Docklands News, please feel free to share your thoughts or send questions to me at [email protected]