Our 3 stage framework for pain relief is what we use to help people go from being in pain and limited with what they can do, to feeling better than ever. Our aim is to not only reduce the pain, but get you back to enjoying everything you did before the pain, and keep the pain away.
The three stages of treatment are:
Stage One: Control
We help you get on top of the pain quickly. We help you get the pain under control and help you feel like you’re improving as quickly as we possibly can. The aim here is to settle the injured or painful area as quickly as effectively as possible, whilst keeping you doing and many of the things you want and need to do as possible.
To do this, we use all sorts of techniques. We’ll very likely use some hands on techniques. Things like joint mobilisations, and massage. We’ll also likely give you some exercises to help improve movement and settle the pain.
We also think it’s really important that you understand what’s causing the pain, so we’ll make sure we explain that to you in a way you can really understand. A lot of our patients tell us that they feel better just from knowing what’s causing the problem. If you really understand what the problem is, it’s often less scary, but also the things we recommend you do or don’t do make much more sense.
Stage Two: Progress
By now, the pain is starting to settle and you’re beginning to feel a bit more like your normal self. Now, the focus is on reintroducing your normal activities in a way that won’t trigger a return of the pain. This often takes significant guidance as your body is quite sensitive to people doing too much too soon.
During this phase we’ll likely still be using hands on treatments to further reduce pain and increase movement. We’ll likely have changed your exercises a little to include some gentle strengthening to help your body start to do more without pain.
How long this phase takes depends on the injury, but also what you’re aiming to do. If you’re working back towards demanding activities, this can take longer than someone with less strenuous goals. Right from our first session we’ll work to understand what you want and need to do so we’re all aiming for the same thing.
Stage Three: Resilience
This is the stage that is so often missed. By now you’ll be feeling much better and you’ll be back to doing most of the activities you’d normally do, though perhaps at a lower level than previously still. It’s easy to think that’s the job done. The end is in sight after all, and this is where a lot of patients end their journey with Physio.
However, we like to go one stage further for one reason. Most Physios and most people come for treatment with the aim of getting rid of the pain and getting back to doing everything they were doing before hand. Basically, they want to get back to “normal” or whatever they were doing before they had pain. However, where they were before they got pain, was what likely caused the pain in the first place. So if you return to that point, what often happens? The pain comes back.
Our aim is slightly different then. Yes, we want to settle the pain, and get you back to doing the things your were before. But we want you to be stronger and more resilient than you were before so your body is better able to cope with the things you do. Why? Because that way, the pain is much less likely to come back.
That’s what stage 3 is all about. Helping you get more resilient and stronger, and perhaps slightly tweaking a few of your habits, to help your body cope with what you’re asking it to do, with the sole aim of stopping this pain coming back again.
Now, arguably, this is a terrible business model, because we’re aiming for our patients not to need us again, but we feel that it’s really doing the job properly. Giving the maximum benefit we can to our patients. In the nicest possible way, when our patients are discharged, we hope not to need to see them again.
The illusive quick fix
Most people in pain would love a magic wand to reduce the discomfort they’re experiencing. We’re with you on that. The quicker we can get rid of your pain the better. Pain is horrible, and after all, helping you relieve it is why we’re here. However, we’re not looking for that illusive quick fix. The magic that will take the pain away, because sadly, that’s not usually sustainable. Chances are, the pain will return.
Our 3 step framework is designed to get rid of pain as quickly as possible, and then keep it away. Yes it might take a couple more sessions than going somewhere else that misses stage 3, but we’d rather our patients didn’t keep having the same problem over and over. The quick fix is not always the best fix.
We’re here to help
If you would like our help with aches, pains or injuries, then you can book online here. If you’d like to talk to us before booking, you can book a free minute assessment with one of our Physios to talk about your problem and see if we can help. Failing that you can give us a ring and we’ll happily discuss how we can help.
Book a free assessment or call a clinic
We look forward to helping you feel better than ever and rid yourself of that pain that’s making life just that bit less fun!
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