Pain
Pain Relief at Holistic Physio – A Whole-Body Approach
Living with pain can be frustrating, exhausting, and overwhelming. Whether it’s a nagging back ache, sharp joint pain, or discomfort that just won’t go away, pain doesn’t only affect your body — it impacts your mood, energy, sleep, and daily life.
At Holistic Physio in Brisbane, we look at pain differently. Instead of just masking the symptoms, we aim to find the root cause and treat it with a holistic mix of Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Clinical Pilates, and Chinese Herbal Medicine.
What is Pain?
Pain is more than just an unpleasant feeling – it’s part of the body’s protective system. When something goes wrong, nerves send signals through the spinal cord to the brain, telling you to stop, rest, or protect an area.
There are two main types of pain:
Acute pain – This is short-term pain, usually from an injury, surgery, or sudden illness. It’s your body’s alarm system, warning you that something needs attention. Once the injury heals, the pain normally goes away.
Chronic pain – This is pain that lasts longer than three months, even after the original injury has healed. In chronic pain, the nervous system becomes hypersensitive. The “volume dial” for pain is turned up, so the body continues to send pain signals even when there is no ongoing damage.
Modern neuroscience explains this as neuroplasticity – the brain and nerves can “learn” pain. The longer pain continues, the more the nervous system reinforces those pain pathways, which is why chronic pain can feel so persistent and overwhelming.
Pain is not only physical – it is influenced by many factors such as stress, sleep, mood, movement patterns, hormones, and lifestyle. That’s why it affects each person differently, and why a holistic approach is so important.
What are the Causes of Pain?
Pain rarely has a single cause. Instead, it’s usually the result of a combination of factors that interact with each other. Common contributors include:
- Tissue damage or injury – such as sprains, strains, fractures, or post-surgical healing. These trigger inflammation, swelling, and pain signals to the brain.
- Inflammation – The body’s natural defence mechanism. While inflammation helps with healing, too much of it can cause ongoing pain, especially in conditions like arthritis or autoimmune disorders.
- Nerve sensitisation – Over time, nerves can become overactive and send pain signals even without actual tissue damage. This is common in chronic conditions like fibromyalgia or neuropathic pain.
- Posture and biomechanics – Sitting for long hours, slouching, or repetitive movements can place extra strain on the spine, joints, and muscles, leading to pain and stiffness.
- Muscle tension – Stress often makes muscles tighten, especially in the neck, shoulders, and back. This can reduce blood flow, restrict movement, and create pain.
- Emotional and psychological factors – Anxiety, depression, and chronic stress can amplify pain perception. Pain affects mood, and low mood in turn worsens pain – creating a vicious cycle.
- Hormonal changes – Fluctuations in hormones, such as during menstruation, menopause, or thyroid imbalance, can make pain worse.
- Lifestyle factors – Poor sleep, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, or high stress levels can all lower the body’s resilience and increase pain sensitivity.
In short, pain is complex. It’s not only about what’s happening in the muscles or joints – it’s also about how the brain, nervous system, emotions, and lifestyle interact. This is why treating pain effectively means looking at the whole person, not just the sore spot.
How Can Acupuncture Help with Pain?
Acupuncture is a safe and natural way to ease pain. By gently inserting ultra-fine needles into specific points, acupuncture helps to:
- Release natural painkillers (endorphins)
- Improve blood flow to sore muscles and joints
- Calm the nervous system and reduce stress
- Reduce inflammation in the body
Research shows that acupuncture can be effective for back pain, neck pain, headaches, arthritis, and sports injuries. Many people feel deeply relaxed during treatment, and over time notice a reduction in both pain intensity and frequency.
How Can Physiotherapy Help with Pain?
Physiotherapy focuses on how your body moves. Pain often happens because muscles are weak, joints are stiff, or the body is out of alignment. A Physiotherapist works with you to:
- Assess movement and posture
- Use hands-on therapy to release tight areas
- Teach exercises that build strength and flexibility
- Correct habits that keep causing pain
Physiotherapy is backed by strong scientific evidence and is especially effective for musculoskeletal pain — like back pain, shoulder injuries, sports recovery, and postural problems.
How Can Clinical Pilates Help with Pain?
Clinical Pilates is an exercise method designed to build strength from the inside out. It focuses on core stability, posture, and controlled movement. For people with pain, Pilates helps to:
- Strengthen muscles that support the spine and joints
- Improve posture and movement patterns
- Prevent recurring injuries
- Increase confidence in your body’s ability to move without pain
Unlike regular Pilates classes, Clinical Pilates at Holistic Physio is tailored to your body and supervised by a Physiotherapist. This makes it safe and effective, even if you’re recovering from injury or dealing with chronic pain.
How Can Chinese Herbal Medicine Help with Pain?
Chinese Herbal Medicine works by addressing the root cause of imbalance in the body. In Chinese Medicine, pain often comes from blocked energy (Qi) or stagnation in the body. Herbs are prescribed in formulas that aim to:
- Reduce inflammation and swelling
- Relax tight muscles and ease tension
- Support circulation and healing
- Address underlying conditions (such as arthritis or menstrual pain)
Modern research shows that many Chinese herbs contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, making them a safe and natural complement to other treatments.
Pain Relief at Holistic Physio – Your Path to Healing
Pain is complex, but you don’t have to live with it. At Holistic Physio in Brisbane, we combine the best of Western science and Eastern wisdom to help you not only feel better but also understand your body and prevent pain from returning.
Call us today to discuss your pain concerns or
Book an appointment online and take the first step towards feeling lighter, stronger, and more at ease in your body.
Acupuncture at Holistic Physio: Ancient Healing for Modern Stress
At Holistic Physio, we understand the toll that modern life takes on the body. Chronic stress, fatigue, poor sleep, and emotional strain are increasingly common – and often interconnected. That’s why we offer acupuncture as part of our “whole-body approach” to healing, helping clients restore balance and vitality from the inside out.
What Is Acupuncture and Why It Works
Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a time-tested therapy that stimulates the body’s natural healing response. By gently inserting ultra-fine needles into specific points along energy pathways (meridians), we help regulate the nervous system, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. It’s not just about symptom relief – it’s about treating the root cause of imbalance.
Stress Relief and Holistic Recovery
Acupuncture is especially effective for stress-related conditions such as anxiety, insomnia, digestive issues, and chronic pain. At Holistic Physio, we use acupuncture to calm the mind, regulate cortisol levels, and support parasympathetic recovery. Clients often report deeper sleep, improved mood, and a renewed sense of clarity after treatment.
Bridging Ancient Wisdom with Modern Wellness
Unlike conventional treatments that focus on isolated symptoms, acupuncture encourages the body to heal itself. It’s a gentle yet powerful therapy that aligns perfectly with our integrated care model – combining physiotherapy, herbal medicine, and clinical Pilates to support long-term wellness.
Led by Sandra Tan, our clinic blends decades of experience with genuine compassion. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, burnout, or emotional fatigue, acupuncture at Holistic Physio offers a safe, effective path to recovery. It’s more than a treatment – it’s a reconnection to your body’s natural rhythm and resilience.