Chronic pain & fatigue care in Pennant Hills
When pain has hung around for months — or comes with exhaustion, poor sleep and low energy — it needs more than a quick fix. We take a whole-body approach to help you understand it, calm it and build your capacity back up.
- No GP referral needed
- AHPRA-registered osteopaths
- HICAPS on-the-spot claims
Long-term pain is real — and it can change
Chronic pain is pain that lasts beyond three months. Over time the nervous system can become more sensitive, so pain no longer reflects damage — but it is still very real. The good news: a sensitised system can be calmed.
Here’s what we believe:
- Pain is a protector, not a damage meter. In long-term pain, the alarm system is often turned up too high. We help turn it down.
- Your whole life affects pain. Sleep, stress, mood, inflammation, diet and activity all influence how much you hurt.
- Small, steady progress wins. Pacing and graded activity build capacity without the boom-and-bust cycle.
- You deserve a team. We work with your GP, psychologist and other practitioners so nothing gets missed.
- Understanding is treatment. Learning how pain works reduces fear and is shown to reduce pain itself.
Sound familiar?
- Pain that’s lasted more than three months
- Pain that moves around or spreads
- Fatigue, poor sleep and low energy alongside your pain
- Good days and bad days with no clear pattern
- You’ve tried lots of treatments that only help for a while
- You feel like no one is joining the dots
What we commonly see
- Persistent back & neck pain
- Widespread pain
- Fibromyalgia-type symptoms
- Pain with fatigue & poor sleep
- Post-injury pain that hasn’t settled
- Inflammation-related pain
- Stress-related tension
- Pain affecting work & mood
Not sure if your pain fits? Call us on 0457 796 468 and we’ll let you know if we can help.
How we treat chronic pain & fatigue
Every appointment follows our Assess, Plan, Treat framework — so you always know what’s happening and why.
Assess
A thorough history of your pain, sleep, energy, stress and past treatments.
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We assess how you move and what you can and can’t do, and look for the factors keeping your nervous system on high alert. We screen for anything that needs medical review.
Plan
A realistic, paced plan built around what matters most to you.
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We set small, meaningful goals, explain how chronic pain works, and agree a plan that may include other practitioners — your GP, a psychologist or our integrated naturopathy service.
Treat
Gentle care to calm pain, then graded movement to rebuild confidence and capacity.
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We start gently and progress steadily, using hands-on care, laser and movement to reduce sensitivity and help you do more of what you love.
The tools we have at our disposal
We choose the right mix for you — every tool is there to ease pain, restore movement and get you back to what you love.
Education & self-care
Understanding your pain, what to do at home, and how to stop it coming back.
How it helps with chronic pain & fatigue
Pain education is one of the most effective tools for chronic pain — understanding what’s happening reduces fear and helps calm the nervous system.
Hands-on osteopathy
Soft tissue work, joint mobilisation and, where appropriate, HVLA adjustments to ease pain and restore movement.
How it helps with chronic pain & fatigue
Gentle hands-on treatment to ease muscle tension and help your body feel safe to move again.
Hands-on care works best as part of a plan that includes exercise and advice.
Exercise rehab
A progressive program to rebuild strength, control and confidence — the part that keeps you better.
How it helps with chronic pain & fatigue
Graded activity and gentle strength training, paced to build capacity without flare-ups.
Exercise has the strongest research support for most musculoskeletal pain.
Low-level laser therapy
Painless light therapy that energises your cells to calm pain and support tissue healing.
How it helps with chronic pain & fatigue
Painless and gentle, laser eases pain in sensitive areas and supports your body’s own repair — making movement feel more achievable.
Laser energises your cells’ mitochondria to support healing — a powerful adjunct to hands-on care and rehab.
Integrated naturopathy
For pain driven by inflammation, gut health, hormones or diet — with Dr Lydia Thompson, osteopath and naturopath.
How it helps with chronic pain & fatigue
Integrated naturopathy with Dr Lydia Thompson looks at inflammation, gut health, hormones, diet and nutrient gaps that can drive pain and fatigue.
NeuFit (Neubie)
Direct current stimulation while you move, to help switch on muscles that have shut down after pain or injury.
How it helps with chronic pain & fatigue
The Neubie helps your nervous system re-engage muscles that have switched off with long-term pain — rebuilding strength and confidence in movement.
NeuFit helps your nervous system reconnect with muscles that have switched off — so every exercise works harder for you.
What you can do right now
While you wait for your appointment, these simple steps help most people:
- Pace your day — break big tasks into smaller chunks
- Aim for some gentle movement every day
- Protect regular sleep and wake times
- Notice what helps on better days and do more of it
- Stay connected with people and activities you enjoy
- Be kind to yourself on harder days
When to see a doctor urgently
Please see your GP promptly, or call 000 in an emergency, if you have:
- Unexplained weight loss, fevers or night sweats
- New numbness, weakness or changes to bladder or bowel control
- Fatigue with breathlessness, chest pain or palpitations
- Pain that’s rapidly getting worse or changing in character
- Severe low mood or thoughts of self-harm — call Lifeline on 13 11 14 any time
Common questions
Do I need a GP referral to see an osteopath?
No. Osteopaths are primary healthcare practitioners, so you can book directly. If you have a Medicare Chronic Disease Management plan or a WorkCover claim, bring your referral to your first visit.
Can I claim on my private health insurance?
Osteopathy is covered by most extras policies, and we offer on-the-spot claiming through HICAPS. Check with your fund for your level of cover.
Can osteopathy help if I’ve had pain for years?
Yes, many people with long-term pain improve with the right approach. Progress is usually gradual, and we focus on helping you do more of what matters to you.
What is integrated care?
For some people, pain is driven by inflammation, gut health, hormones or diet. Our integrated care combines osteopathy with naturopathy, delivered by Dr Lydia Thompson.
Will exercise make my pain worse?
Done at the right level, gentle and graded exercise usually helps. We start where you are and progress slowly to avoid flare-ups.
Related conditions
About osteopathy · All conditions we treat · Meet our osteopaths