What is pain rehabilitation?
Pain rehabilitation is a medical approach used when pain persists longer than expected and recovery has not followed a straightforward path.
It is commonly used when pain continues after surgery, injury or treatment — even when scans, procedures or tissue healing appear to have been successful.
Pain rehabilitation considers the physical, psychological, social and cultural influences of pain.
It focuses initially on helping people to understand persistent pain so that they can apply evidence-based treatments and strategies
When is pain rehabilitation used?
Pain rehabilitation is often used when:
pain has persisted for several months or longer
recovery has stalled despite appropriate treatment
scans or tests do not explain ongoing pain
pain is limiting movement, confidence or participation in daily life
It is commonly applied in situations such as persistent pain after surgery, long-standing musculoskeletal pain or recovery that has not progressed as expected.
Understanding pain - the foundation of pain rehabilitation
In rehabilitation medicine, pain is best understood as a protective function of our nervous system.
After injury, surgery or due to prolonged pain, the nervous system can become highly sensitive and protective, even though tissues have healed.
This can result in ongoing pain with movement, activity or everyday tasks, without signs og ongoing injury or damage.
This does not mean pain is imagined or “all in the head”.
It means that the pain system has adapted over time, but fortunately, it can adapt back again.
What does pain rehabilitation focus on?
Rather than focusing only on a body part or scan result, pain rehabilitation considers:
how pain is produced and maintained by the nervous system
physical factors such as movement patterns and activity tolerance
psychological factors such as fear, confidence and expectations
social factors such as work, roles and daily demands
The aim is to support understanding, confidence with movement and participation in daily life when pain has become persistent.
Pain rehabilitation is not:
Pain rehabilitation:
is not about pushing through pain
is not based on motivation or positive thinking
does not suggest pain is imagined
does not promise outcomes or quick fixes
It is an evidence-based medical approach used when pain has become persistent and recovery has not followed a straightforward path.
How pain rehabilitation can be delivered online
Pain rehabilitation can be delivered safely and effectively through structured online programs when designed within a medical framework.
The Rehabilitation Medicine Group develops online pain rehabilitation programs grounded in rehabilitation medicine and contemporary pain science. These programs are:
education-first
self-paced
designed to support self-management
not a replacement for individual medical care
One example is Free Kneed, a short educational program that introduces pain rehabilitation concepts in the context of persistent pain after knee replacement.
