Persistent Pain Support
Persistent Pain Support for Adults
Living with persistent pain can be exhausting and confusing. You may have tried multiple treatments, received mixed messages, or feel stuck in a cycle of flare-ups and recovery.
Our occupational therapy approach focuses on helping you understand your pain, regain confidence in activity, and build practical self-management strategies for long-term change.
Persistent Pain Support for Children & Adolescents
When a child experiences ongoing pain, it can affect far more than their body.
Persistent pain can impact school attendance, friendships, sleep, family life, confidence, and participation in activities they once enjoyed. It can also leave parents feeling worried, overwhelmed, or unsure how best to help.
Our occupational therapy service provides compassionate, evidence-informed support for children and adolescents living with persistent pain.
This service is suitable for private families and GP referrals (including Chronic Disease Management plans where applicable).
Occupational Therapy for Adults
Persistent pain is complex and multifactorial. It can significantly impact daily function, mood, sleep, work capacity, and overall quality of life.
Our occupational therapy service provides structured, evidence-informed support for adults living with persistent pain. We focus on improving functional capacity, rebuilding confidence in activity, and supporting long-term self-management.
This service is suitable for private clients and individuals referred by their GP under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan.
Who This Service Is For?
This service may be helpful if you:
Have experienced pain for more than three months
Feel stuck in flare-up cycles
Avoid activity due to fear of worsening pain
Want support returning to work or daily roles
Are ready to better understand and manage your pain
Persistent pain can feel isolating. You are not imagining it, and you are not “failing” at coping.
Occupational therapy offers structured, practical support grounded in current research and real-life application.
You don’t have to navigate this alone.
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We begin by gaining a clear understanding of:
Your current pain experience
What you’ve been told about your pain
What has and hasn’t worked before
How pain is impacting your daily life
Your personal goals
This stage is about listening and building clarity — without judgement.
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Many people have never received clear explanations about persistent pain.
We provide evidence-based education about:
How the nervous system adapts in persistent pain
Why pain does not always equal damage
The role of stress, fatigue, and emotions
How protective responses can become overprotective
Understanding pain reduces fear — and fear reduction is a powerful step toward change.
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Persistent pain often follows predictable patterns.
Together we explore:
Boom–bust cycles (overactivity followed by flare-ups)
Activity avoidance patterns
Threat vs safety responses
How the nervous system’s “safety surveillance system” may be on high alert
By recognising patterns, we can gently shift them.
This stage builds awareness, pacing skills, and a more balanced approach to activity.
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Once we understand your patterns, we move into supported change.
This may include:
Graded re-entry into meaningful activities
Structured pacing plans
Confidence building in movement
Nervous system regulation strategies
Developing a personalised self-management plan
The goal isn’t pushing through pain — it’s building capacity safely and sustainably.
Over time, many people notice improved function, reduced flare-ups, and increased confidence.
Our support is structured around four key stages:
Referral Information for GPs
We welcome referrals under:
Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plans
Private referrals
Reports outlining functional goals and progress can be provided to referring practitioners.
Referrals can be sent via:
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
When a child experiences ongoing pain, it can affect far more than their body.
Persistent pain can impact school attendance, friendships, sleep, family life, confidence, and participation in activities they once enjoyed. It can also leave parents feeling worried, overwhelmed, or unsure how best to help.
Our occupational therapy service provides compassionate, evidence-informed support for children and adolescents living with persistent pain.
This service is suitable for private families and GP referrals (including Chronic Disease Management plans where applicable).
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We begin by exploring:
The child’s pain experience
School attendance and participation
Activity patterns
Avoidance or flare-up cycles
Family impact
The child’s goals and worries
This stage focuses on listening and creating psychological safety.
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Children and teens benefit from understanding how pain works.
Using developmentally appropriate language, we explain:
How the nervous system protects us
Why pain can continue even when tissues have healed
The concept of an “overprotective alarm system”
The difference between hurt and harm
Parents are included in education to ensure consistent messaging at home.
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Many children with persistent pain:
Push through on “good days”
Crash with flare-ups afterwards
Avoid activities due to fear of pain
We help families recognise these patterns and develop a more balanced, sustainable approach.
We also explore the child’s “safety surveillance system” — how their body may be scanning for danger — and build strategies to increase feelings of safety and control.
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IThe goal is not to eliminate pain before returning to life — it is to support safe and supported re-entry into meaningful activities.
Intervention may include:
Gradual return-to-school planning
Pacing strategies
Activity scheduling
Confidence building in movement
Sensory and regulation strategies
Development of a child-friendly self-management plan
We collaborate with families and, where appropriate, schools and healthcare teams.tem description
Our Approach
Our approach supports both the child and their family. We work together to build understanding, reduce fear, and gently restore participation.