College Knowledge Exchange - Physiotherapy in Cancer Pain Management
The College Knowledge Exchange is a series of presentations delivered by Fellows of the Australian College of Physiotherapists (the College) exclusively for members of the College. Including a presentation followed by the opportunity for Q&A and peer-to-peer interaction, the College Knowledge Exchange is a great opportunity to connect with the College network and learn from the experience of your esteemed College peers.
Physiotherapy in Cancer Pain Management - Dr Liisa Laakso
Cancer-related pain is a multidimensional experience influenced by disease processes, treatment effects, functional impairment, and psychosocial factors. Contemporary oncology and palliative care frameworks emphasise person-centred, multidisciplinary, and function-focused approaches to pain management, in which physiotherapy plays an integral role.
This presentation will examine the evidence base for physiotherapy-led and non-pharmacological interventions in the management of cancer-related pain across the cancer continuum, including active treatment, survivorship, and palliative care. The session will address key domains of physiotherapy practice in oncology, including assessment of complex pain presentations, goal-oriented intervention planning, symptom modification, and optimisation of function and quality of life.
Participants will review evidence supporting exercise-based interventions, education and self-management strategies, physical modalities, and movement-based approaches. Particular attention will be given to photobiomodulation therapy, including its biological mechanisms, clinical indications, safety considerations, and integration within multidisciplinary cancer pain management pathways.
The lecture will align physiotherapy interventions with palliative care principles of comfort, dignity, function, and shared decision-making, supporting clinicians to deliver safe, evidence-informed, and compassionate care consistent with professional and specialty competency frameworks.
• VIC, TAS, NSW, ACT, QLD – 7.00pm AEST
• SA, NT – 6.30pm
• WA – 5.00pm
As part of your registration to this event, you will be given free access to the recording of this presentation. The recording will be available on your cdp4physio dashboard within 4 weeks of the live session
Please note: This is a live webinar. Login instructions including link details will be sent to registrants on the day of the event. If login instructions are not received by midday on the day of the lecture to contact us on karen.ide@australian.physio
