axxonpain

AI in Pain Assessment: A New Lens on Chronic Pain

Pain is deeply personal — and often hard to communicate. Emerging AI technologies are changing that, offering more objective ways to assess pain through facial expressions, physiological data, and real-time tracking. In this article, we explore how AI is helping bridge the communication gap, especially for non-verbal or vulnerable patients, and what this means for the future of personalised, data-driven pain care.

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When to Refer: A Guide for Rehab Specialists in Pain Management

Chronic and complex pain can be challenging to manage in a rehab setting. Knowing when to continue conservative care and when to escalate to a pain specialist is critical for improving patient outcomes.
In our latest article, we explore key indicators for referral, the role of pain specialists, and how rehab professionals can collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary care model.

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Pain Management in Women’s Reproductive Health: A Guide for GPs

Chronic pelvic pain and other reproductive health-related pain conditions affect 1 in 9 Australian women, yet delays in diagnosis and under-treatment remain common.
Our latest article explores key causes of pain, practical assessment and management strategies, and referral pathways for GPs. Learn how early recognition and a holistic approach can improve outcomes for your female patients.

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Central Sensitisation: What GPs Need to Know (and How to Spot It)

Some pain lingers long after tissue healing — and it’s not just “in the head.” Central sensitisation is a key driver of persistent, disproportionate pain presentations, from chronic low back pain to fibromyalgia. In this article, we break down what central sensitisation really is, how to recognise the clinical red flags, and why early identification can change a patient’s trajectory.

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Working with Allied Health: A GP’s Role in Coordinated Pain Care

Effective pain care isn’t a solo act — it’s a team performance. This article explores how GPs can lead coordinated, multidisciplinary pain management alongside allied health colleagues to improve function, reduce medication reliance, and empower patients. Learn how to hold the narrative, build trust, and create a unified plan that supports recovery.

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Virtual Reality in Pain Management: A Glimpse Into the Future of Non-Drug Pain Relief

It’s a question often left unsaid in the consultation room, but heavily implied: “Is this pain even real?”
Functional pain — pain without identifiable tissue damage or structural pathology — continues to challenge clinicians and frustrate patients. It sits in that uncomfortable space between physical and psychological, where test results offer no answers, yet the patient’s suffering is very real.

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Is This Pain Real? Talking About Functional Pain with Compassion

It’s a question often left unsaid in the consultation room, but heavily implied: “Is this pain even real?”
Functional pain — pain without identifiable tissue damage or structural pathology — continues to challenge clinicians and frustrate patients. It sits in that uncomfortable space between physical and psychological, where test results offer no answers, yet the patient’s suffering is very real.

Is This Pain Real? Talking About Functional Pain with Compassion Read More »

Not Getting Better After 3 Months? When Pain Stops Being ‘Acute’

Most patients—and many clinicians—expect acute pain to resolve within a matter of weeks. But what happens when it doesn’t? When a patient continues to report pain three months or more after an injury, surgery, or onset of symptoms, it’s time to change the clinical lens. Pain that lingers past the 12-week mark is no longer considered “acute”—it has transitioned into the chronic or persistent pain category and requires a different management approach.

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How to Communicate With Patients Who’ve ‘Tried Everything’

When patients feel they’ve exhausted every option, it can signal more than treatment fatigue — it often reflects frustration, fear, and loss of trust. In this article, we explore practical strategies for GPs and allied health professionals to validate these experiences, gently reframe the pain narrative, and co-create hopeful, function-focused care plans that break through the “nothing works” barrier.

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Pain and the Brain: How Psychological Factors Worsen Physical Symptoms

Pain isn’t just about the body — it’s shaped by the brain and deeply influenced by psychological factors like fear, catastrophising, and mood. In this article, we unpack how these drivers can amplify pain, why addressing them is essential, and how GPs and allied health professionals can help patients break the vicious cycle.

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