Chronic pain affects millions of Australians and can have a significant impact on daily life, work, and wellbeing. Unlike acute pain, which usually settles as tissues heal, chronic pain often persists beyond the expected recovery time. It is influenced by changes in the nervous system, lifestyle factors, and how the body and brain process pain.
As physiotherapists working in Telehealth Physiotherapy across Australia, we see the challenges people face when trying to manage ongoing pain. Importantly, chronic pain can be managed effectively with the right knowledge, strategies, and support.
Evidence-Based Tips for Managing Chronic Pain
1. Stay Active—But Pace Yourself
Movement is one of the most effective ways to manage chronic pain. Gentle, graded exercise can help restore confidence and reduce pain sensitivity over time. Whether guided through an online physio consultation in Australia or a home physiotherapy video call, tailored activity can make a difference.
2. Balance Rest and Activity
Many people with chronic pain fall into a cycle of “boom and bust”—doing too much on good days and crashing afterwards. Pacing strategies help you achieve more over time without major flare-ups.
3. Understand Your Pain
Learning that pain does not always equal damage can help reduce fear and improve movement. Education is central to physiotherapy care, whether delivered face-to-face or in a virtual physiotherapy session.
4. Incorporate Mind-Body Approaches
Breathing exercises, mindfulness, quality of sleep, diet, hydration and stress reduction techniques can reduce nervous system sensitivity and complement physical rehabilitation.
5. Stay Connected Regular support
whether through in-person care or a remote physiotherapy appointment—can reduce isolation and help with motivation and accountability.
The Restore Trial 2025 (O’Sullivan et al., 2025, The Lancet): What It Showed Us
One of the most important recent studies in pain management is the Restore Trial 2025, conducted in Sydney and Perth. The trial involved nearly 500 people with long-standing low back pain, many of whom had been in pain for several years. Participants were randomly assigned to receive:
• Usual care (standard treatments such as medication, physiotherapy, or injections)
• Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) – a personalised approach focusing on changing unhelpful beliefs about pain, graded exposure to movement, and lifestyle changes
• CFT with movement sensor biofeedback, which added wearable technology to provide feedback on movement.
The results were clear:
• Both CFT groups reported greater improvements in function and pain relief than usual care after 13 weeks.
• These improvements were sustained for at least a year, and follow-up data has shown benefits lasting up to three years.
• The program was also found to be more cost-effective than usual care, meaning better outcomes at a lower overall cost to society.
This trial highlights how person-centred, movement-based care can provide lasting benefits, and it reinforces the value of approaches that can be delivered in flexible formats—including through virtual rehab physio sessions and exercise prescription via telehealth.
Who May Benefit from Online Physiotherapy?
• People with persistent back or neck pain
• Those recovering from surgery who need online post-surgery physiotherapy
• Athletes managing ongoing or recurrent injuries
• Seniors seeking accessible and safe programs from home
• NDIS participants requiring telehealth physiotherapy services
Takeaway
Chronic pain is complex, but it can be managed with the right mix of education, movement, pacing, and support. The Restore Trial 2025 has provided strong evidence that tailored physiotherapy programs can deliver long-term benefits—especially when supported by flexible delivery models such as online physiotherapy in Australia.
If you are experiencing ongoing pain, connecting with a physiotherapist—whether in person or through a remote physiotherapy appointment—can help you build a plan that works for your needs and goals.
Contact us or book in a consultation today if you are looking for any advice/treatment in relation to chronic pain!
Reference:
O’Sullivan, P., Smith, A., et al. (2025). Cognitive Functional Therapy versus usual care for chronic lower back pain: The Restore Trial. The Lancet.
Telephysio Australia 
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