Disclaimer: This guide is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you are experiencing an emergency, go to your nearest hospital or call 000.
What is it?
Pain is an unpleasant sensation that prompts a protective response to the affected area. Although everyone experiences pain, the nature of pain varies widely among individuals due to various factors and situations.
Pain functions as part of the body’s defence mechanism. Sensory receptors send signals to the brain, which then decides whether to create the sensation of pain based on current information and past experiences. These receptors alert us when tissues are nearing their safe limits, thus preventing damage. When tissue is injured, these receptors become more sensitive.
Psychological and social factors, along with previous experiences, significantly influence the perception of pain through complex brain processes.
Understanding that pain is influenced by more than just physical sensations—such as sleep, exercise, overall health, attitudes, beliefs, mood, environment, and social interactions—offers various ways to manage and change pain over time.
Chronic pain
Chronic pain, lasting more than three months or beyond typical healing time, often involves an overactive pain system. This can result in pain even when tissues are not at risk.
It is often associated with being female, older age, having long-term health conditions, longer hospital stays, and daily activity limitations.
Chronic pain persists beyond the normal healing period of 3 to 6 months after an injury or illness. It can range from mild to severe and is typically ongoing, affecting individuals most days of the week. It can stem from injuries, surgeries, musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis, or medical conditions such as cancer, endometriosis, or migraines. Sometimes, there may be no clear physical cause.
Chronic pain can be a symptom of another disease or exist as a stand-alone condition. It may not show physical evidence, can occur anywhere in the body, and might involve multiple types of pain.
Chronic pain significantly impacts a person’s health care usage, ability to work, exercise, and social interactions. Those with chronic pain are more likely to suffer from mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and fatigue.
Anyone experiencing persistent pain beyond normal healing time should consult a doctor.
Symptoms
Pain is a common and complex condition that varies greatly among individuals, with each person’s experience being unique.
How we can help
We provide a convenient and secure system for you to see a doctor from the comfort of your own home, or on the go with your smart device. You can have a video call on-demand by joining the queue for the next available doctor, or schedule an appointment at a time that suits you. We’re open every day, 24 hours a day – including public holidays – because we know illness and injury don’t adhere to conventional practice hours.
Much like a traditional appointment, your telehealth doctor will conduct a comprehensive assessment, including:
- pre-existing conditions, family history and lifestyle.
- preferred treatments and ability to access them.
- individualised advice to treat your condition.
- referrals or scripts at the discretion of the doctor.
No Schedule 8 controlled drug medication or drugs of addiction will be prescribed. Schedule 4 drugs that have the potential to cause harm or be misused such as benzodiazepines, duromine, zolpidem, zopiclone, quetiapine and high-strength codeine are not routinely prescribed and should be sourced from your regular GP.
Why choose doctors on demand?
Talk to a doctor about pain.
Our patients choose us for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from managing chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure, to addressing specific concerns such as hair loss and acne – or simply because they need a medical certificate or referral. Choose from over 150 doctors with a wide range of qualifications, experiences, and fluency in 31 languages to find the right fit for you. All our doctors are registered in Australia by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for a minimum of 3 years.