Pain treatments
To give you the best possible chance at pain relief, your Pain Specialist and team will utilise a range of approaches from pain medications, physical therapy and lifestyle changes to advanced interventions and surgeries.
No one approach works for all, and your unique treatment plan will be determined with you at your consultations with your Pain Specialist.
To book a consultation with a Pain Specialist, you will require a referral from your General Practitioner.
Types of pain treatments include:
Chronic pain can often be reduced through the use of a range of pain-relief medications.
A joint block is an injection of anaesthetic (numbing medicine) and steroid (cortisone) into one more joins that are causing you pain. These injections help to treat and determine the source of the pain.
A nerve block is a specialised injection that targets a certain nerve or group of nerves, signalling it to turn of the pain signals or reduce inflammation. This treatment can be used for nerve pain including through the sciatic nerve (nerve pain through the back and leg), shoulder pain, headaches and more.
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses specialised equipment to target join and nerve pain. The treatment involves placing needles directly into the nerves that are causing pain. The heat that is produced in the needle is directed into the nerves, interrupting the pain signals being sent to the brain. This treatment can provide relief for six months to a few years.
Spinal Cord Stimulation is an advanced treatment that sends an electrical impulse to the spinal cord to block pain signals from travelling to the brain.
IV infusions deliver medication through an IV to support pain management. This treatment does not suit all conditions.
Platelet rich plasma injection (PRP injection) involves injecting a small amount of your own blood into slowly healing soft tissue injuries, speeding up your body’s own healing process.
A big component on pain management is the ability to manage your own pain symptoms and treatment as well as cope with daily living and the physical, emotional and social aspect of dealing with pain. Our Pain Specialists can support you to reduce stress and improve your to deal with pain.
To restore function and actively recover, your Pain Specialist may support you through a range of functional activities and movements.
More information about these treatments are available on the Pain Specialists Australia website.
When should you seek support for chronic pain?
If you are experiencing chronic pain that has lasted for over 3 months and is interfering with your daily life and ability to enjoy yourself, we recommend you seek support.
How to book an appointment
To book an appointment with a Pain Specialist you will need to get a referral from your General Practitioner. To choose a Specialist you wish to be referred to, view available specialists here.