Supporting Pain Management as a Carer: The Role of Physiotherapy and Holistic Care
Caring for someone living with chronic pain—whether due to arthritis, injury, or age-related conditions—can be both deeply rewarding and incredibly challenging. Pain doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it; it can impact the whole support network, especially carers and caregivers who play a vital role in day-to-day wellbeing.
Understanding pain—and how physiotherapy and self-management strategies can help—is key to supporting your loved one while also protecting your own mental and physical health as a carer.
Pain Is More Than Just Physical
As outlined in the Joint Action Podcast and through insights shared on My Joint Pain, pain is no longer viewed as a simple indicator of tissue damage. Instead, it's understood as a complex interaction between the body, the brain, and the environment.
What does this mean for carers?
It means that focusing solely on medical treatments or physical symptoms isn't enough. Helping a loved one manage their pain effectively requires understanding the role of:
Emotional stress and mental health
Sleep and fatigue
Movement and physical conditioning
Personal beliefs and attitudes toward pain
Two people with the same medical diagnosis can experience completely different levels of pain based on these factors. As a carer, recognising this variation can help you provide more compassionate, individualised support.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Pain Management
Physiotherapy remains one of the most effective, evidence-based tools for managing chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal disorders. But physiotherapy isn’t just about exercise—it’s about education, movement confidence, and improving quality of life.
Physiotherapists can:
Teach safe, appropriate exercises tailored to individual needs
Help reduce fear of movement (which often worsens pain)
Provide pacing strategies to balance activity and rest
Support carers with manual handling techniques to avoid injury
You can find more information on how physiotherapy can support long-term joint health and pain management at My Joint Pain.
Pain Education Empowers Both the Patient and the Carer
As a caregiver, it can be distressing to see a loved one in pain, especially when it doesn’t respond to medication or rest. Learning more about pain science can reduce frustration and offer clarity on why pain persists, even when "nothing shows up" on scans or X-rays.
The Joint Action Podcast offers real-life stories, expert interviews, and practical advice to help you understand these complexities. It’s a valuable resource for carers who want to feel more informed and empowered in their role.
Tools, Support & Self-Care for Carers
Being a carer can take a toll on your own body and wellbeing. If you’re assisting with mobility, transfers, or daily tasks, physiotherapy advice can help protect your posture, strength, and joint health too.
Meanwhile, organisations like The Arthritis Movement by Arthritis NSW provide workshops, online programs, and community forums that support both people living with arthritis and their carers. Joining these networks can reduce isolation, improve knowledge, and build resilience for the long haul.
Pain management is not just a medical issue—it’s a shared journey. Physiotherapy, combined with a deeper understanding of pain and access to the right resources, can significantly improve quality of life for both the person in pain and their carer.
As a caregiver, you are a crucial part of the support system. Empower yourself with knowledge, stay connected to trusted resources, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance for your own physical and emotional health along the way.