Chronic and persistent pain
Pain that has stayed past the normal healing time, helped by a broader, paced approach.
By Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist · Reviewed July 2026
What it is
Chronic or persistent pain is pain that has lasted past the normal healing time, often three months or more. It usually involves the nervous system as well as the original tissue, which is why it can be confusing and why a quick fix rarely works on its own.
Signs and symptoms
Everyone is different, but these are common with chronic and persistent pain. You may have some and not others.
How physiotherapy helps
We take time to understand your history and goals, then combine graded movement, hands on therapy and clear education about how pain works. The aim is to help you do more of what matters with fewer flare ups, building up at a pace that suits you.
- Thorough history and assessment
- Graded movement program
- Hands on therapy for flare ups
- Pain education and pacing
How we treat it
The right mix depends on your assessment. These are the services we most often draw on for this.
Chronic pain physiotherapy
A broader, paced approach for pain that has stayed past the normal healing time.
Learn more →
Exercise and rehabilitation
Tailored programs to rebuild mobility, strength and confidence in the movements that matter to you.
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Soft tissue release
Skilled hands on work through muscles, tendons and ligaments to ease tension and restore flexibility.
Learn more →
Trigger point dry needling
Fine needles into trigger points to release muscle tension and ease referred pain. A core focus at PACT.
Learn more →
What you will actually pay
The full fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. Once your cover is applied, here is what you actually pay.
Before any rebate. Private paying is welcome, and your fee buys the whole session, never a rushed 20 minutes.
A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.
The usual out of pocket once you claim on the spot, depending on your level of cover.
Nothing for you to pay at any visit. Accepted workers compensation and CTP motor accident claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.
The bars compare what an initial and a follow up visit cost you on each pathway.
See full fees and rebates. Telehealth with PACT Virtual Care is charged at the same rates, Australia wide.
Other problems we help with
Pain rarely sits in one neat box. These are commonly linked, and we treat them all.
Good to know before you book
Is my pain real if scans are clear?
How much will it cost?
Do I need a referral?
Can it be managed by telehealth?
Sources and further reading
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ellis, AHPRA registered physiotherapist. Last reviewed July 2026.
This page is general information about chronic and persistent pain, not a diagnosis or a substitute for an assessment. If you are concerned about your symptoms, book an appointment or see your GP.
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Same day appointments often available at our Miranda clinic, or by telehealth across Australia.