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.
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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 pay, with or without cover
Every appointment is a full, unhurried session with the time to work through complex, persistent problems. The fee is $165 for an initial visit and $142 for a follow up, and if you have Medicare, private health extras or an accepted claim, here is what you pay.
Paying privately
No referral or paperwork needed. Every visit is a full, unhurried session with the time it needs.
With a Medicare plan
A GP Chronic Disease Management referral rebates $61.80 on every visit, up to 5 a year.
With private health extras
Claim on the spot through HICAPS. The gap depends on your fund and level of cover. See all health funds
Workers comp & CTP
Accepted workers compensation and CTP claims are billed straight to your insurer, and we handle the paperwork.
Every bar is drawn to the same scale, from $0 to the standard fee. Private health gaps vary with your fund and your level of extras cover.
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?
Read more on this
Plain English articles from our physiotherapist, written to answer the questions we get asked most.
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.