Pain is complex. It is defined as ‘an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage’ (IASP, 2015). Pain is definitely not as simple as we once thought. Pain can be categorised as acute or chronic. Acute pain is defined as pain that is short lived and lasts less than three months. Chronic pain is pain that has been occurring longer than three months. Pain is created by the brain. Many things

Gluten, lactose and dairy free. Excellent source of fibre. Vegetarian/Vegan Ingredients Serves 4 2 cup cooked quinoa 1/2 bunch flat leaf parsley 4 kale leaves, finely chopped 3 Tbsp finely chopped mint 3 Tbsp finely chopped coriander 8 cherry tomatoes, quartered 6 spring onion tops, green part, finely chopped 1/4 cup olive oil Juice of one lemon 1/2 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp dried cumin Salt and pepper to taste 1 Tbsp chopped walnuts 1 Tbsp chia seeds 2 Tbsp lightly toasted pine

Gluten, lactose and dairy free. Ingredients Makes 10 500g firm white fish (such as flathead), coarsely chopped ½ cup fresh coriander 35g (1/4 cup) gluten free cornflour 2 Tbsp soy sauce, salt reduced Juice of 1 lime 2 Tbsp gluten free sweet and sour sauce 1 egg, lightly whisked 3 green tops off the spring onion, finely chopped 50g green beans, finely chopped Lime wedge, to serve Spray olive oil Methods Place the fish in a bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Ad

Gastrointestinal symptoms can co-exist with pelvic pain in many individuals. These gastrointestinal symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort, wind and reflux with alternating bowel habits such as diarrhea and constipation. The pain in the pelvis can communicate with the bowel and may lead to symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome. The low FODMAP diet has been shown to successfully improve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in many sufferers. And ver

This is a fictional interview with a patient but it is based on the stories of many, many women. It is loosely adapted from an interview on The Health Report between Norman Swan and Dr Tarsha Stanton entitled “The brain’s role in pain”. Ellen: When I was in my teens I had trouble inserting tampons. The first time I tried, it hurt and after a few more “goes”, I gave up as it just hurt and didn't feel good. Trish: This story might sound familiar for women who have pain with sex

Often patients are concerned or confused when their health professional suggests they see a psychologist to manage a physical pain problem. But seeing a psychologist is a normal and important part of managing pain, and can often help people make sense of what they are experiencing. Some people see a psychologist only once or twice, some more frequently over a longer period of time, and some start by getting advice, then taking a break and coming back later on when they feel r