For National Pain Week “CityNews” speaks to some of Canberra’s experts in understanding and treating pain.

ACCORDING to Chronic Pain Australia, more than 3.6 million Australians are affected by chronic pain. 

Chronic pain is considered to be pain lasting longer than three months and although it can be a symptom of a known illness or injury, it can also exist without a clear reason at all.

Today, about one in five people in Australia live with chronic pain, including one in three people over the age of 65.

However, National Pain Week 2023, running from July 24 to July 30, is looking to shine light on the condition and encourage people to seek support and advice from others, rather than suffer in silence.

For National Pain Week “CityNews” speaks to some of Canberra’s experts in understanding and treating pain.

Exercise options to suit all abilities

ARTHRITIS ACT can support people no matter what type of chronic pain condition they have, says CEO Rebecca Davey.

“National Pain Week is a good time to reflect on the impact chronic pain has on our community, with more than 50,000 people in the ACT suffering from some form of chronic pain,” she says.

“It’s important to remain active at all ages, to condition muscles that protect against injury”, and Arthritis ACT has solutions for people of varying abilities.

“Across National Pain Week, Arthritis ACT is offering a suite of talks and programs, while also introducing a new self management and mindfulness program that will start soon,” says Rebecca.

“We understand that chronic pain can impact people from head to toe, from arthritis to endometriosis, and we know these people face discrimination for their invisible pain, because they appear fine on the outside.

“But that’s only the start. Arthritis ACT offers services such as exercise physiology, disability support and meal planning to help people in managing their pain.”

Rebecca says about 50 per cent of staff at Arthritis ACT live with chronic pain, “so we understand how chronic pain can affect all parts of a person’s life”.

“No task or question is too big or small for us.”

Arthritis ACT, Pain Support & ME/CFS ACT, 170 Haydon Drive, Bruce. Call 1800 011041 or visit arthritisact.org.au

Experienced legal team offers support for personal injury

BAKER Deane & Nutt (BDN) Lawyers have been serving the Canberra and Queanbeyan region for more than 160 years, says partner Richard Baker.

“Our practitioners are client focused, strong communicators and possess the necessary knowledge to work successfully across both ACT and NSW jurisdictions,” says Richard.

“Additionally, for personal injury matters, we offer free initial consultation and if there’s no win, there’s no fee.”

Throughout their long operation, Richard says the firm has amassed a wealth of knowledge and assisted thousands of clients to obtain compensation for injuries suffered due to no fault of their own.

“If you’ve suffered an injury and have needed either time off work or medical treatment it is likely that a claim for compensation can be made,” he says.

Unfortunately, Richard says, there are many circumstances where people have been injured and might not realise they’re entitled to compensation.

“Whenever an employee suffers an injury in the course of their employment, sometimes even when they’re travelling to or from work, a workers’ compensation claim may be made,” he says.

“This includes employment-related disputes resulting from bullying and harassment. Commonly, employees may seek advice in relation to their rights within the context of employment law, without realising that they may also have a remedy via workers compensation, provided they’ve suffered either a psychological or physical injury.

“Our primary focus is to obtain the best possible outcome for our clients, having regard to both the strength of their claim as well as their personal circumstances.

“We’re equally comfortable representing the interests of our clients in informal settlement conferences as we are formal court hearings.”

Baker Deane & Nutt, 260 Crawford Street, Queanbeyan, 6299 3999 or level 1, 1 Farrell Place, Canberra, 6230 1999. Visit bdn.com.au

Celebrating the benefits of hemp balms

SOUTH Pacific Hemp stocks balms and products that can relieve a variety of pains, says store manager Sue Booth.

“We have a green hemp healing balm that is good for arthritis, psoriasis, bruising, nerve pain and eczema,” she says.

“Or, we have a popular hemp and cherry balm that is a really great healing balm, or we have black sheep, which can help with nappy rash, inflammation, bites and stings.

“We even have hemp seed oil slow-release pain patches, that really just sell themselves, they’re great for nerve pain and back pain, too.”

Sue says hemp has strength, medicinal and nutritional value, and was first cultivated more than 10,000 years ago.

“The store also has a range of clothing and linen, fabrics, bedding and cushions all made to promote wellbeing,” she says.

“Hemp protects your skin by naturally filtering UV light. It also resists bacterial growth and breathes excellently, preventing odours and has four times the strength of cotton and it won’t weaken when washed.

“Hemp gives years of wear while its breathing ability, antibacterial and antiviral properties help promote good sleep.”

But, Sue says, they also have fun new products such as a pot plant holder to further highlight what hemp can do.

“It’s made locally, with hemp and coconut fibres so it’s all natural, and it comes in a variety of colours.”

South Pacific Hemp, 84 Wollongong Street, Fyshwick. Call 0431 318898 or visit southpacifichemp.com.au

Pain relief in all areas of the body

WILSON Lo started Bruce Sports Medicine six years ago, but says he’s been practicing in sports medicine for 22 years.

“On site we have sports doctors, physiotherapists, an exercise physiologist, sports podiatrist, dietitian and an orthopedic surgeon,” he says.

“We cover all areas of the body which can cause pain.

“Our practitioners will assess a patient to determine the diagnosis firstly because treating the pathology, which is the source of the pain, is the most important factor.”

Wilson says the sports doctors will take a history and examination and may order investigations such as imaging or blood tests to work out the diagnosis.

“I’ve worked with elite sporting teams for over two decades and find the multidisciplinary model of care is the ideal set up for an athlete with different practitioners communicating and coordinating rehabilitation,” he says.

“Pain relief may involve prescription medication, various injection therapies, soft tissue therapy, mobilisation of joints and exercise programs, either in our rehabilitation gym such as the GLA:D program, or at home,” he says.

“Treating the diagnosis may involve surgery as well. However, we work closely with many other practitioners across Canberra, so if the best treatment program for you involves external practitioners we will happily liaise with them to give you a comprehensive program.”

Bruce Sports Medicine, 9 Victoria Street, Hall. Call 6253 5386, or visit brucesportsmedicine.com.au