Pain

A physiotherapist treats a man's knee pain
INMOTION 23 Jun, 2025

A brief history of pain reform

As physiotherapists, we are often asked about pain, what causes it, how best to manage it and why so many people continue to suffer despite advances in care. 

Pain is one of Australia’s most pressing health challenges, affecting one in five adults and costing the economy an estimated $139 billion annually. 

A person holds a blue ribbon for prostate cancer awareness
INMOTION 02 Jun, 2025

Five facts about prostate cancer and pelvic health physiotherapy

Malina Kelly and Alison Wroth of the APA Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health national group present five discussion points about diagnosis of prostate cancer, side effects from treatment and the role of physiotherapy.

1. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men

Graphic of the prostate gland

The prostate gland sits beneath the base of the bladder in men.

The image is of a group of older men and women doing a group exercise class
INMOTION 28 May, 2025

Exercise for low back pain in older people

A group of Brazilian researchers investigated the effect of group-based exercise for chronic non-specific low back pain in older adults. The first author, Dr Hytalo Silva, agreed to answer some questions about the trial.

A person clutches their knee in pain
INMOTION 26 May, 2025

A TOPS approach to knee OA prevention

A study on the prevention of knee osteoarthritis is exploring the benefits of weight loss and exercise.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of disability in adults and is associated with comorbidities such as heart disease, metabolic syndrome and depression.

As there is no known cure for OA, efforts are focused on prevention, particularly in high-risk groups.

One of the leading risk factors and therefore a focus of prevention efforts is obesity.

Tanushka Alva and her partner Sinan Tejani moved to Tasmania to pursue job opportunities.
INMOTION 29 Apr, 2025

Tanushka’s mission to ease the pain

Tanushka Alva’s career has taken her across continents, from her home town in Mumbai, India, to Launceston in Tasmania. Now working in Tasmania’s public health system, Tanushka shares her unique blend of expertise in acute and chronic pain management.

Physiotherapist Tanushka Alva APAM has dedicated her career to improving healthcare access and pain management within Tasmania’s public healthcare system. 

People undertaking a pilates class
INMOTION 25 Apr, 2025

Intensity of pilates in chronic low back pain

A group of physiotherapists in Brazil collaborated on a randomised trial comparing high- and low-intensity Pilates in people with low back pain. The first author, Anita Coelho, answers some questions about the review.

Surgeons performing surgery
INMOTION 25 Apr, 2025

Smallest worthwhile effect of surgery for sciatica

A multidisciplinary team from the University of Sydney conducted a benefit–harm trade-off study to determine how much additional benefit people with sciatica would need to receive from discectomy to consider it worthwhile compared to non-surgical management. The corresponding author, Dr Giovanni Ferreira, agreed to answer some questions about the trial.

Person exercising on the beach
INMOTION 25 Apr, 2025

Physiotherapy for gluteal tendinopathy

Dr Angie Fearon has authored a comprehensive Invited Topical Review on the optimal management strategies for gluteal tendinopathy—a leading cause of hip pain. Angie agreed to answer a few questions on her review.

A man moving his hip as if in pain and doing some rehabilitation.
INMOTION 24 Mar, 2025

Activity modification for hip pain

A recent recipient of a PRF Seeding Grant is investigating the feasibility of conducting a randomised-control trial that investigates the effect of activity modification in adults with hip pain.

Dr Michael O’Brien APAM, originally from New Zealand, has worked in a range of settings internationally including in elite sport, public and private clinics, and musculoskeletal research. 

An artists impression of a woman experiencing a life-shattering event.
INMOTION 28 Feb, 2025

Cycling accident redefines physio’s perspective

Physiotherapist Suzanne Rath’s life changed dramatically in 2013 when a cycling commute through Sydney turned into a traumatic collision with a car. Suzanne’s journey through rehabilitation not only tested her resilience but profoundly shaped her perspective on patient care.

It was on a routine bike ride home from Randwick to Newtown in Sydney when Suzanne Rath APAM had her life changed in the blink of an eye.