Pain Management Program

The Empower Pain Management Program is Northern Pain Centre’s intensive 3 week pain management program.  Empower aims to teach participants the principles of active self-management to assist them with both managing their pain and optimising their quality of life.

Our program is based on the latest clinical research and evidence-based techniques in chronic pain management.  In addition, our facilitators are a highly experienced pain management team including our Medical Director Dr Martine Holford, our clinical psychologist, physiotherapists and practice nurses (view our team here).

The Empower Pain Management Program includes:

• education about chronic pain neurophysiology, neuroplasticity and the impact of these on pain perception
• psychological skills training to implement pacing, change unhelpful thought patterns, to improve goal-setting, flare-management and problem-solving abilities
• training in strategies to address low mood, stress and anxiety
• instruction in practical strategies to return to physical activity, daily tasks, work and previously enjoyed activities
• supervised group-based exercise sessions, hydrotherapy, Tai Chi and Yoga sessions

Overall, the skills and strategies imparted during the Empower course will help participants to restore a sense of confidence in their ability to, with support, manage their pain more effectively and get back into life.  In addition, Empower Pain Management Program has a special emphasis on assisting injured workers to develop and implement a sustainable return to work plan.

ACI:  Pain Management Programs – Which Patient for Which Program?  

A guide for NSW Tier 3 and Tier 2 public health facilities providing pain programs (link)

Answers to FAQs

• This program is currently available to participants funded by Workers Compensation, Third Party Insurers, DVA and DOD
• Self-funded participants are eligible to attend.  Please ask our Program Co-ordinator for more details.
• We accept direct referrals into the Empower Pain Management Program from external medical practitioners, such as your local doctor, an insurer, a rehabilitation provider or another specialist.  Please fill out this referral form
• We run up to 8 programs per year, usually in February, March, May, June, August, September, October and November.  Speak with our program coordinator to learn more.

Please contact the clinic and speak with our program coordinator, Aimee Carter.

T: 02 9439 6456
F: 02 9460 9230
E: acarter@northernpaincentre.com.au

To learn more about the resources used during our program visit here

Images courtesy of Canva