Understanding Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than three months — beyond the point where most injuries would normally heal. It affects millions of Canadians and can stem from a wide range of causes: an old injury that never fully resolved, a degenerative condition like osteoarthritis, or changes in how the nervous system processes pain signals over time.
What makes chronic pain particularly challenging is that it often doesn't have a simple, linear relationship with tissue damage. You can have significant pain without proportional injury, and mild structural changes can produce severe symptoms. This is why an effective approach to chronic pain goes beyond treating the body part that hurts — it addresses the full picture of what's sustaining the pain.
Conditions We Treat
- Chronic low back pain and neck pain
- Fibromyalgia and widespread pain conditions
- Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, spine, and hands
- Degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis
- Persistent headaches and cervicogenic pain
- Post-surgical chronic pain
- Neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
- Repetitive strain injuries that have become chronic
- Chronic pain following motor vehicle accidents or workplace injuries
Our Approach to Chronic Pain
We don't believe in simply managing chronic pain indefinitely. Our goal is to help you understand what's driving your pain, build your physical capacity, and reduce the degree to which pain limits your life — with a realistic plan for getting there.
Treatment typically involves a combination of hands-on manual therapy to improve mobility and reduce sensitization in affected tissues, progressive therapeutic exercise to rebuild strength and resilience, and education about how chronic pain works and what you can do to influence it. This evidence-based approach, sometimes called pain neuroscience education, is one of the most powerful tools in chronic pain management.
Manual Therapy for Chronic Pain
Hands-on treatment — soft tissue release, joint mobilization, myofascial therapy, acupuncture, and dry needling — helps reduce local pain and muscle guarding, improve range of motion, and break cycles of tension and avoidance that keep chronic pain going. It's not a cure on its own, but it's a valuable component of a broader program.
Exercise as Medicine
Graded exercise is one of the most well-researched interventions for chronic pain. Moving and loading the body in a structured, progressive way helps desensitize the nervous system, rebuild tolerance, and improve function over time. Our kinesiologist and physiotherapists design individualized programs that start where you are and progress at a pace your body can handle.
Chronic pain doesn't mean permanent pain. With the right approach, many people with long-standing pain conditions experience meaningful improvement — less pain, better function, and a greater ability to participate in the activities that matter to them. The key is working with clinicians who understand the full picture.
What to Expect
Your first appointment includes a thorough assessment of your pain history, how it affects your daily life, your movement and physical capacity, and any contributing factors — sleep, stress, activity levels, and more. We take the time to understand your experience, not just your diagnosis.
From there, we develop a realistic treatment plan with clear goals. We'll be honest about what physiotherapy can achieve and what timelines are realistic. Progress with chronic pain isn't always linear, and we'll support you through the ups and downs with consistent, evidence-informed care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can physiotherapy actually help with chronic pain?
Yes. Physiotherapy is one of the most evidence-supported approaches to chronic pain management. It addresses the physical, functional, and educational aspects of persistent pain — and produces meaningful improvement for many people who have been struggling for years.
Is exercise safe when I'm in constant pain?
Yes, when done correctly. Graded exercise — starting at a level appropriate for your current capacity and progressing gradually — is actually one of the best things you can do for chronic pain. Your physiotherapist will ensure the program is safe and manageable for you.
How long will it take to see improvement?
It varies depending on how long you've had the pain, its underlying causes, and your overall health. Many people notice meaningful improvements within 6–12 weeks of consistent treatment. We'll give you realistic expectations at your initial assessment.
I've tried physiotherapy before and it didn't help — why would this be different?
Chronic pain requires a different approach than acute injury rehab. If previous treatment focused only on passive modalities without addressing movement, education, and progressive loading, it may not have been optimized for a chronic pain presentation. We'd welcome the opportunity to assess your situation with fresh eyes.
Is chronic pain physiotherapy covered by insurance?
Yes — physiotherapy for chronic pain is typically covered by extended health benefits. WSIB and MVA plans also fund chronic pain rehabilitation in the appropriate context. Call us if you'd like help understanding your coverage.
Serving Kingston and the Surrounding Region
We're located at 1479 John Counter Boulevard, Unit 201 in Kingston, Ontario. To book an assessment or discuss your situation, call 613-384-2664 or use our contact form.