Pain affects millions of Canadians daily, impacting their ability to move, work, and enjoy life. This week is, National Pain Awareness Week, and Sheddon Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic is joining the national effort to raise awareness and promote effective, movement-based solutions for managing pain.
Understanding Pain:
More Than Just a Symptom
Pain is your body’s way of signalling that something needs attention, but it’s also incredibly complex.There are two broad types of pain:
- Acute pain – short-term pain that comes from an injury, surgery, or inflammation.
- Chronic pain – lasting longer than three months, even after the tissue has healed. Chronic pain doesn’t always mean there’s ongoing damage. Instead, the nervous system can become hypersensitive, continuing to send pain signals even when tissues are no longer injured.
Why Physiotherapy Is a Cornerstone of Pain Management
While medication can help temporarily, long-term recovery from pain requires movement, education, and self-management, all areas where physiotherapists can help. At Sheddon Physiotherapy and Sports Clinic, our team uses treatments to help you understand your pain, restore mobility, and regain control of your body. Here’s how physiotherapy helps:
1. Movement and Exercise Therapy
One of the best things you can do for pain is to move, safely and progressively. Exercise helps to:
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve blood flow and tissue healing
- Decrease pain sensitivity
- Strengthen supporting muscles and joints
- Boost confidence
At Sheddon Physiotherapy, your therapist will design an individualized exercise plan that matches your comfort level, whether you’re dealing with back pain, joint stiffness, or a recurring injury.
2. Manual Therapy and Hands-On Treatment
Our physiotherapists use manual techniques such as joint mobilization, soft tissue release, and stretching to improve movement and decrease pain signals from tight or restricted tissues. These treatments help you move more freely and comfortably, while also preparing your body for exercise and functional activity.
3. Education and Pain Science
Understanding your pain is a critical part of recovery. Many people with pain fear movement, believing it will make things worse. Physiotherapists help you understand how pain works, and how gentle, graded activity actually re-trains your nervous system to calm down and restore normal function. Education empowers you to take control instead of avoiding activity out of fear.
4. Modalities
Depending on your condition, we may incorporate:
- Acupuncture or dry needling
- Shockwave therapy
- TENS or IFC
- Heat and cold therapy
These techniques can be combined with exercise and manual therapy to reduce discomfort and promote healing.
Living With Pain: Small Steps, Big Progress
Managing pain is about consistency and patience. Here are a few strategies you can start today:
- Move every day, even in small ways.
- Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t.
- Practice deep breathing or mindfulness to reduce tension.
- Prioritize sleep and hydration.
- Work with a physiotherapist to set achievable movement goals.
How Sheddon Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic in Oakville and Burlington Can Help
At Sheddon Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic, we’ve helped countless patients move past pain and get back to the activities they love, whether that’s playing with grandkids, returning to sport, or simply enjoying pain-free daily life. Our team takes a whole-person approach that looks beyond symptoms to address the root cause of your pain. We combine manual therapy, exercise, and education to restore function.
And if you’re ready to continue building strength and confidence after rehab, our Oakville Athletic Academy (OAA) provides a supportive space for ongoing exercise, conditioning, and wellness programs guided by physiotherapists who understand your goals.
At Sheddon, we don’t just treat pain, we help you understand it, move through it, and regain control over your life. During National Pain Awareness Week, take the first step toward lasting relief, contact Sheddon Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic to book your assessment.
Bonus Tip: Many extended health plans renew in January. Take advantage of your remaining coverage this year, book your next physiotherapy appointment before your benefits reset!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is chronic pain?
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for three months or longer, often continuing even after the initial injury or condition has healed. It can affect any part of the body and may range from mild to severe, impacting sleep, mood, and daily activities. - How can physiotherapy help manage chronic pain?
Physiotherapy focuses on improving movement, strength, and function while reducing pain through techniques such as manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and education. Our goal at Sheddon Physiotherapy & Sports Clinic in Oakville is to help you move more comfortably and confidently again. - What types of pain can physiotherapy help with?
Physiotherapy can help with many types of pain, including back and neck pain, joint pain, arthritis, nerve pain, headaches, and pain related to sports or overuse injuries. - Is it okay to exercise if I have pain?
In most cases, yes. Movement and gentle exercise can actually reduce pain over time by improving circulation, flexibility, and strength. Your physiotherapist will design a customized program that works within your comfort level and gradually helps you regain mobility. - What if my pain has been going on for years?
Even long-term pain can improve with the right approach. Chronic pain often involves changes in the nervous system, which means retraining how your body and brain respond to movement and discomfort is key. Our physiotherapists use evidence-based strategies to help you manage and reduce long-standing pain. - Do I need a doctor’s referral to start physiotherapy?
You can book directly with a physiotherapist—no referral is needed. However, if you plan to use extended health benefits, your insurance provider may require a doctor’s note.
