SIG Pain Physiotherapy

Definition of a physiotherapist specialising in pain:

Physiotherapists specialising in pain management focus on understanding and treating people suffering from chronic pain. While conventional physiotherapy mainly treats biomechanical and sensorimotor problems, physiotherapists specialising in pain thoroughly integrate the biopsychosocial model. In doing so, they take into account the individual factors that cause and maintain pain.

Physiotherapists specialising in pain work with patients to help them fully understand their condition so that they can make informed decisions. On this basis, the aim is to improve function, enhance quality of life, and manage and relieve pain.

The skills of physiotherapists specialising in pain management include:

Knowledge
Physiotherapists specialising in pain apply current, evidence-based neurophysiological and neuropsychological knowledge specific to pain. They also have an in-depth understanding of different types of pain and work in a scientific and evidence-based manner.

result
A comprehensive picture of the patient is established through structured interviews and specific diagnostic procedures. In the clinical reasoning process that follows, hypotheses are formulated and evaluated. On this basis, objectives are set jointly.

therapy
As part of the therapy, specific techniques are used in a multimodal manner, including

• Education on relevant topics
• Certified movement therapies
• Personalised training therapy
• Accompanying physical measures
• Behavioural approaches
• biofeedback
• Therapeutic body treatments
• Mindfulness-based methods

Patients, with their individual expectations, needs and goals, are always the focus of attention. Thus, in addition to promoting active self-management, the aim is to enable patients to quickly and appropriately resume functional and meaningful activities. In this process, physiotherapists specialising in pain can assess when interdisciplinary therapy is indicated and communicate this appropriately to patients and other healthcare professionals. Within this multi/interprofessional team, they actively communicate with other healthcare professionals to enable optimal therapy.