Pain and pain management

Ankle sprain is a common sports injuries caused by overstretching and tearing the supporting ligaments.

People can manage their arthritis using medication, physiotherapy, exercise and self management techniques.

Back pain is common. Some people will develop back pain that is persistent (lasts more than 3 months). There are many things that you can do to live well with back pain.

Most disc problems resolve without specific treatment.

Common sites for bone fractures include the wrist, ankle and hip.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be caused by repetitive hand movements, pregnancy and arthritis.

Elbow pain and can result from overuse in a range of sports or occupations.

The hip joint is complicated to allow a wide range of motion while still supporting the weight of the body.

A healthy, calcium-rich diet and regular physical activity throughout life can help prevent osteoporosis.

Shoulder pain is common in our community. The good news is that with appropriate treatment pain will improve so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy.

Although nearly all of us will experience a headache during our lifetime, persistent headaches need to be medically investigated with tests such as scans, eye tests or sinus x-rays.

Migraine causes a severe and throbbing headache, usually on one side of the head, as well as symptoms such as nausea.

Trusted health information can be found through your local doctor or pharmacy and other reliable health providers.

Ask a doctor and research health information when making a health decision. This will include the cost, timing and regularity of medical treatment.

Pain can impact you physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. However, there are many things you can do to deal effectively with persistent pain.

Chronic condition management includes positive lifestyle factors like a healthy diet, regular exercise, good sleep and social support.

Always see your doctor if you have ongoing pain to find the best pain-management option for you.

If you think your child is in pain, always see your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Persistent pain is pain that lasts for more than 3 months. There are many things you can do to manage your pain and live well.

Doctors and other health professionals all have a different role to play in your healthcare.

Living with persistent pain isn’t easy. Your doctor can help you balance your pain, your treatment and hurdles you encounter in life.

Your healthcare team may include a doctor, dentist, pharmacist, medical specialists, allied health professionals and complementary medicine practitioners.

If you see a number of healthcare professionals, it is important to tell them about any other healthcare services you are using.

There are laws that set out how healthcare professionals can collect and store your health information and when they are allowed to share it.

You have a legal right to know all the facts about your health problem and any treatment.

Patient-centred care, also known as ‘person-centred care’, is about treating the person receiving the care in the way they want to be treated.

Ask your doctor and healthcare providers what you will be charged for each new service, what is covered by Medicare and what is included in your healthcare plan.

Primary healthcare is the first contact a person has with the health care system when they have a health problem. This is usually your general practitioner (GP) or pharmacist.

There are many health insurance providers on the market that offer a wide variety of healthcare plans.

Medicare is Australia’s national public health insurance, providing free or subsidised healthcare to all Australians and most permanent residents.

Endometriosis is a condition that affects one in 10 women. It can sometimes cause severe pain and might reduce your fertility. There are many treatment options available.

Treatments like physiotherapy, osteopathy or remedial massage can generally help neck and shoulder pain.

Information about pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) an infection that affects the female reproductive system. Includes causes, symptoms, diagnosis, risks, treatment, prevention and where to get help.

Most cases of sciatica resolve by themselves within six weeks to three months.

Your local doctor or general practitioner (GP) is your first point of call for non-emergency and preventative medical care during clinic hours.

Medical specialists are doctors who have completed advanced education and training in a specific area of medicine.

Allied health professionals are university-trained health practitioners who work as part of your healthcare team.