Understanding Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is pain that persists beyond the expected healing time for an injury, typically considered to be three months or longer. It is not simply unhealed tissue. Over time, the nervous system itself can become sensitized, meaning it produces pain signals that are no longer accurately reflecting actual tissue damage. This is why chronic pain can feel worse than an injury would logically justify, and why standard approaches focused only on the original injury often fall short.

Understanding this distinction is the first step toward effective treatment.

How Physiotherapy Approaches Chronic Pain

Physiotherapy for chronic pain is different from acute injury treatment. Rather than focusing only on the painful area, your physiotherapist will consider the full picture including your pain history, activity levels, sleep, stress, and how your body moves overall. Treatment combines hands-on work with education, graded exercise, and self-management strategies.

The goal is not just to reduce pain in the short term but to help you understand your pain, reduce fear and avoidance, and build capacity so you can do more of what matters to you.

What We Use for Chronic Pain

  • Pain education to help you understand what is driving your symptoms
  • Manual therapy to address joint restrictions and muscle dysfunction
  • Dry needling and IMS for persistent trigger point pain
  • Graded exercise to build tolerance and reduce central sensitization
  • Massage therapy for tension and nervous system regulation
  • Acupuncture as a complementary pain modulation tool

Conditions We Commonly See

  • Chronic back and neck pain
  • Fibromyalgia and widespread pain
  • Persistent headaches and migraines
  • Post-surgical chronic pain
  • Chronic shoulder, hip, and knee pain
  • ICBC and WorkSafeBC chronic pain cases

Book Chronic Pain Management in Vancouver

Physiolab has four Vancouver locations and a multi-disciplinary team. Direct billing available. ICBC and WorkSafeBC accepted.

Chronic pain is not something you just have to live with.

Book a chronic pain assessment at Physiolab in Vancouver and start building a plan that actually moves you forward. Book today.

Book Now

What Our
Patients Say

★★★★★
Can't say enough good things about Jackson Lam. I'd had chronic pain in my lower back for way too long and after our first few sessions I was pain free for the first time. His easy going nature and broad treatment skills make this the place to go.
A
Adam Parent
★★★★★
I've been experiencing ongoing pain in my lower back that radiates down my left leg. I put off getting treatment for the longest time because I didn't know of a treator that I could trust. I was very fortunate that a friend recommended I see Jackson. I came in barely able to walk without a limp and I now walk completely normally.
C
Catherine Lee
★★★★★
After seeing the same physiotherapist for close to 10 years and not seeing results with my treatments anymore, I was apprehensive about needing to find a new PT but moving over to Physiolab was a great choice! I've been going to Physiolab for close to 2 years now and have seen great results with treatment for my injuries and also my regular maintenance sessions.
M
Maxine AJ
★★★★★
Courtney has been fantastic in her role for helping me with lower back/hip/sciatica pain and stiffness. In my first session with her, she identified and targeted an area as a root source that I and other treatment specialists had never been close to. I really appreciate her divergent thinking.
J
J Haveruk

FAQs

Common questions about chronic pain management, how physiotherapy addresses persistent pain, and what to expect from a chronic pain program in Vancouver.
What is chronic pain and why does it persist?

Chronic pain lasts beyond the normal healing period and often involves changes in the nervous system that cause ongoing pain signals even when the original injury has healed. The nervous system becomes sensitized over time, which is why chronic pain can feel disproportionate to the apparent injury and why it needs a different treatment approach.

Can physiotherapy help with chronic pain?

Yes. Physiotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for chronic pain. A good program combines hands-on treatment with education about pain science, graded exercise, and strategies to reduce fear of movement and build physical capacity over time.

What is pain education and why is it part of treatment?

Pain education helps you understand how the nervous system produces pain and why chronic pain behaves differently from acute injury pain. Research shows that people who understand their pain are better able to manage it, less fearful of movement, and more likely to engage with exercise-based rehabilitation.

Can exercise help chronic pain?

Yes. Graded exercise is one of the most effective interventions for chronic pain. It reduces central sensitization, improves function, and builds the physical capacity needed to return to normal activities. The key is starting at the right level and progressing carefully under guidance.

Is chronic pain covered by extended health insurance?

Physiotherapy and RMT sessions for chronic pain are covered under most extended health plans. ICBC and WorkSafeBC also cover chronic pain management when it is related to an eligible claim. Physiolab offers direct billing.

How long does it take to see improvement with chronic pain treatment?

Progress with chronic pain is often gradual and nonlinear. Most people begin to notice meaningful changes within 6 to 12 weeks of consistent treatment and active participation. The timeline varies depending on how long the pain has been present and the complexity of the contributing factors.

Can acupuncture help with chronic pain?

Yes. Acupuncture is a useful complement to physiotherapy for chronic pain. It modulates pain pathways, reduces central sensitization, and can provide relief that makes it easier to engage with exercise and rehabilitation.

What if I have already tried physiotherapy and it did not help?

Not all physiotherapy approaches are the same. Chronic pain management requires a different approach than treating an acute injury. If previous physiotherapy focused only on the painful area without addressing movement, fear avoidance, and graded activity, a more comprehensive approach may produce better results.

Our
Locations

We are proud to serve multiple convenient locations, ensuring quality physiotherapy care is always within reach.