Pain Relief in Burlington: How Physiotherapy Helps You Heal
- Folarin Babatunde PT PhD
- Sep 24
- 6 min read
Cogent Rehab Blog
Folarin Babatunde PT PhD MScSEM MScPT BScPT
September 25, 2025
Introduction
Pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physiotherapy. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage.”
This means pain can arise from an actual injury (to bone, muscle, tendon, or ligament) or from the brain’s perception of threat, even if no tissue damage has occurred. Either way, the pain is real.
At Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington, our physiotherapists are movement experts who help people understand, manage, and overcome pain through hands-on care, exercise, and education—often reducing the need for surgery or long-term medications.
A New Understanding of Pain
For many years, pain was thought to be a simple sign of injury. Today, science tells us it is much more complex:
Pain can act as a warning signal from the brain to protect the body.
Pain does not always equal tissue damage.
Every person’s pain is unique, shaped by past experiences, stress, emotions, environment, and social support.
Modern research (Butler & Moseley, 2010) shows that pain may persist even after tissues have healed. The nervous system can become oversensitive, continuing to send pain signals even when no injury remains. This explains why some people develop persistent pain and why physiotherapy—addressing both the body and the brain—is so effective. For more, see this landmark article on modern pain science (PMC)
Types of Pain: Modern Classifications
Pain can be classified in different ways. Traditionally, it has been described as acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting). While this is still useful, a more helpful approach is to classify pain by its mechanism:
1. Nociceptive Pain
Cause: Activation of pain receptors (nociceptors) in skin, muscles, tendons, or bones.
Examples: Sprains, fractures, muscle strains.
Features: Sharp, aching, or throbbing pain that improves as the tissue heals.
➡️ Learn more about our Orthopaedic Physiotherapy services.
2. Inflammatory Pain
Cause: Chemicals released during inflammation sensitize nerves.
Examples: Post-surgical pain, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, infections.
Features: Redness, swelling, warmth, stiffness, and pain that worsens with movement or pressure.
➡️ We also offer Arthritis Management programs.
3. Pathological (Neuropathic or Dysfunctional) Pain
Cause: Nerve injury, faulty nerve signaling, or changes in how the brain and spinal cord process signals.
Examples: Sciatica, diabetic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, phantom limb pain.
Features: Burning, shooting, tingling, hypersensitivity, or pain without clear injury.
➡️ Visit our Neurological Physiotherapy services.
How Pain is Diagnosed
Unlike other conditions, there is no single test that can measure pain. Instead, physiotherapists use a combination of clinical history, observation, and functional testing to understand your pain.
Your physiotherapist may ask:
How long have you had the pain?
Where is the pain located?
What makes your pain better or worse?
How long does it take for your pain to go away?
How does your pain affect your sleep, work, or daily activities?
How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0–10?
What do you think is causing the pain?
What is your past medical history?
They may also use standardized tools such as:
Visual Analog Scale (VAS): to measure pain intensity.
Oswestry Disability Index (ODI): to assess how back pain impacts daily function.
Neck Disability Index (NDI): for neck-related pain.
Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS): to explore the emotional and psychological impact of pain.
Imaging tests (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans) may be used to rule out other causes, but it is important to remember that scan results don’t always match pain levels—someone with arthritis on an X-ray may have no pain, while another person with a “normal” scan may be in severe pain.
Physiotherapy Treatent for Pain Relief in Burlington
For Nociceptive Pain
Manual therapy to restore joint and soft tissue movement.
Targeted exercises to protect healing tissue and restore mobility.
Education on safe movement patterns to reduce re-injury risk.
For Inflammatory Pain
Gentle exercise and pacing strategies to manage flare-ups.
Modalities such as heat or ice to reduce stiffness and swelling.
Joint protection techniques to avoid overloading inflamed areas.
For Pathological Pain
Graded exposure to rebuild confidence and reduce hypersensitivity.
Pain education to retrain how the brain interprets signals.
Relaxation strategies such as breathing and imagery to calm the nervous system.
Psychologically informed physiotherapy to address fear, anxiety, or stress linked to pain.
Treatment Techniques
Physiotherapists use a wide variety of evidence-based strategies, including:
Manual therapy – hands-on techniques to improve joint and muscle function
Exercise therapy – tailored plans to build strength, flexibility, and endurance
Modalities – selective use of ice, heat, or electrical stimulation when appropriate
Graded exposure – gradually reintroducing activities that once triggered pain
Pain education – learning how pain works helps reduce fear and improve recovery
Home program – personalized plans to support progress outside the clinic
Lifestyle Strategies for Managing Pain
Pain management doesn’t stop at the clinic. Daily habits play a big role in recovery:
Stay active: Gentle, regular movement is one of the most effective pain management tools.
Prioritize sleep: Poor sleep can increase pain sensitivity.
Manage stress: Breathing techniques, mindfulness, or meditation can calm the nervous system.
Nutrition: A balanced diet supports tissue healing and reduces inflammation.
Pace activities: Alternate between activity and rest to prevent flare-ups.
Stay positive: Research shows that optimism and confidence in recovery improve outcomes.
See the Canadian Pain Task Force national pain management resources.
Can Pain Be Prevented?
Pain is a protective mechanism and cannot be completely prevented. The goal is to manage it effectively so it doesn’t progress from a normal healing response into a long-term limitation.
Key points to remember:
Avoid prolonged bed rest.
Exercise regularly to strengthen muscles and joints.
Use relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system.
Consult a physiotherapist early for pain that lingers or interferes with daily life.
When to See a Physiotherapist
If pain limits your movement, daily activities, work, or quality of life—whether short-term or long-term—consult a physiotherapist. Early treatment can reduce the risk of pain becoming persistent.
Book an appointment at Cogent Physical Rehabilitation Center in Burlington today and take the first step toward getting physiotherapy for pain relief in Burlington.
Phone: (905) 635-4422
Email: contactus@cogentrehab.com
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between nociceptive, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain?
Nociceptive pain comes from tissue injury, inflammatory pain is linked to swelling and the healing response, and neuropathic pain arises from nerve or brain changes that make the system oversensitive.
Q2: Can physiotherapy help with chronic pain?
Yes. Physiotherapists use movement, education, and hands-on treatment to reduce pain sensitivity and retrain the nervous system. Even when pain has lasted for years, physiotherapy can improve function and quality of life.
Q3: Does pain always mean something is damaged?
No. Pain is a protective signal, not always a marker of tissue damage. Some people feel pain long after healing, while others may have minimal pain despite significant injury.
Q4: When should I see a physiotherapist for pain?
If pain interferes with your daily activities, persists longer than expected, or feels unpredictable, it’s time to see a physiotherapist. Early care can prevent small problems from becoming long-term issues.
Sources
Moseley LG, Butler DS. Fifteen years of explaining pain: The past, present and future. J Pain. 2015;16:807-813.
Allegri M, Clark MR, De Andres J, Jensen TS. Acute and chronic pain: where we are and where we have to go. Minerva Anestesiol. 2012;78:222-235.
Yam FM, Loh C, Tan Cs, Adam SK, Manan NA, Basir R. General pathways of pain sensation and the major eurotransmitters involved in pain regulation. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19:2164.
Racine M, Tousignant-Laflamme Y, Kloda LA, Dion D, Dupuis G, Choinière M. A systematic literature review of 10 years of research on sex/gender and experimental pain perception; part 1: are there really differences between women and men? Pain. 2012;153:602–618.
Louw A, Zimney K, Puentedura EJ, Diener I. The efficacy of pain neuroscience education on musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review of the literature. Physiother Theory Pract. 2016;32(5):332–355
Louw A, Diener I, Butler DS, Puentedura EJ. The effect of neuroscience education on pain, disability, anxiety, and stress in chronic musculoskeletal pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2011;92:2041–2056.
Butler DS, Moseley GL. Explain Pain. 2nd ed. Adelaide, Australia: Noigroup Publications; 2013.
Voogt L, de Vries J, Meeus M, Struyf F, Meuffels D, Nijs J. Analgesic effects of manual therapy in patients with musculoskeletal pain: a systematic review. Man Ther. 2015;20:250–256.
Woolf CJ. What is this thing called pain? J Clin Invest. 2010;120:3742-3744.
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