Clinician Insight: How the Chronic Injury Program supports people living with long-term pain

Long-term musculoskeletal pain affects every part of a person’s life. Standard treatment often focuses on symptom reduction rather than the wider physical and psychological patterns that keep pain persistent. The Chronic Injury Program (CIP) was built to address this complexity with a full interdisciplinary model, data-driven treatment planning and targeted support that helps people rebuild function and independence. The following clinical insight outlines how CIP works in practice and the outcomes seen across complex presentations. 

1. What makes the CIP approach different from standard treatment for chronic pain?

The Chronic Injury Program looks at the patient as a whole. We conduct a complete treatment audit and have an interdisciplinary team conduct an initial assessment to review the patient from a medical, physical and psychological perspective. We then link in with case managers, rehab providers, current treating practitioners and the patient’s Treating Doctor to ensure a unified treatment approach.

Compared to many treatment programs we focus less on the pain and pathology and instead work with the patient on things such as coping with their injury, accepting their situation, addressing the related psychological impacts and providing support to move forward with their lives despite their injury. 

2. How does the Chronic Injury Program help participants rebuild function and confidence needed for work and functional tasks?

We provide a combination of exercise-based treatment utilising motion tracking technology which facilitates a baseline of daily activity and confidence with movement, and psychological treatment to work on goal setting, pacing, pain management strategies and underlying mental health issues.

3. How does the program’s use of data and motion sensor technology help demonstrate measurable outcomes to insurers and employers?

Everything a patient does while completing their exercise program is measured and recorded. For example, range of motion, repetitions, pain and fatigue scores which are then used to further refine a patient's program. Adherence to their prescribed program can also be monitored to support engagement and highlight when things are not tracking as expected.

Psychometric questionnaires are also administered on a regular basis to inform treatment pathways and demonstrate improvements in areas such as mood, sleep and confidence to lead a meaningful life despite their injury. The emphasis on quality of life can help shift the focus from purely a return to work goal and set a patient up with the best chance for re-engaging in their domestic, social and work life.

4. What improvements do you commonly see by the end of the program in function, confidence or work capacity?

We see a lot of patients who have been through an exhaustive amount of treatment and are out of options or out of hope. One of the really pleasing outcomes we are seeing is a renewed optimism about their situation and a willingness to re-engage in aspects of life they had been avoiding for a number of reasons. This may present as re-engaging with friends and family, volunteer work, commencing job seeking and in many cases a return to paid employment.

The Chronic Injury Program provides a clear pathway for people who have felt stuck in long-term pain. By shifting the focus from symptom reduction to functional recovery, capacity building and psychological resilience, the program supports real progress. With coordinated care, measurable data and renewed engagement in daily life, participants often leave the program with stronger confidence and a clearer path forward.