PERSISTENT PAIN PHYSIOTHERAPY
Physiotherapy for Persistent Pain in Shirley
Personalised physiotherapy for people living with pain that has continued for more than three months or beyond the expected healing period. Persistent pain is real and can affect movement, confidence, sleep and daily routines. Appointments take place at the Shirley clinic, supporting people from Solihull and Birmingham, with home visits considered where clinically suitable and available.
PAIN, MOVEMENT AND DAILY LIFE
Understanding persistent pain
Persistent pain describes pain that continues for longer than expected, often for more than three months. The experience is genuine even when scans do not provide one clear explanation.
Pain can be influenced by tissue sensitivity, the nervous system, health, sleep, stress, previous experiences and how activity has changed over time. This does not mean that pain is imagined or simply psychological. Assessment considers your symptoms, medical history, daily function and the factors that may be relevant to you.
Physiotherapy does not promise a cure or require you to stop medication or alter medical treatment. It can support understanding, gradual movement, strength and confidence while helping you work towards meaningful activities. New, severe or concerning symptoms require appropriate medical assessment.
A GRADUAL, PERSONALISED APPROACH
Assessment and treatment shaped around you
Your assessment gives you time to explain the history of pain, previous tests or treatments, current health and the activities that have become difficult. Movement, strength and function may be explored at a level that feels manageable rather than testing how much pain you can tolerate.
Findings are discussed openly, including uncertainty and any reason to seek further medical advice. You and your physiotherapist can identify meaningful goals and agree a gradual starting plan that respects symptoms without assuming that all movement is harmful.
Understanding your pain experience
Clear discussion can connect symptoms with function, health, activity and the factors that appear relevant to you.
Graded movement and exercise
Movement begins from an achievable level and progresses according to confidence, function and response.
Strength and activity progression
Rehabilitation can gradually rebuild capacity for daily routines, work, exercise or another valued goal.
Flare-up and self-management planning
A practical plan can help you respond to symptom changes without viewing every flare-up as new damage.
Progress may include changes in confidence, activity and function as well as pain. The plan is reviewed without promising that symptoms will disappear completely or within a fixed timeframe.
YOUR APPOINTMENTS
What to expect
01
Share your pain history
Discuss symptoms, health, previous care and the ways persistent pain currently affects everyday life.
02
Identify meaningful goals
Choose practical activities or routines that matter to you and can guide a manageable starting point.
03
Build a gradual plan
Begin movement, strength or activity work at an achievable level with clear reasons for each step.
04
Review progress and flare-ups
Review function, confidence and symptom changes, then adapt progression and flare-up strategies when needed.
LEAD PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Meet Mesut Acar
Mesut Acar, MSc, is Lead Physiotherapist at ACR Physiotherapy. His experience across musculoskeletal, neurological and orthopaedic rehabilitation supports a person-centred approach to persistent pain. He recognises that pain is real, even when imaging does not provide a simple explanation, and avoids suggesting that symptoms are imagined. Mesut works with you to understand how pain affects function, confidence and valued activities before developing a gradual movement and strength plan. Progress and flare-ups are reviewed without guaranteeing a cure or fixed recovery time. He is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
HCPC registeredLead Physiotherapist
CSP memberMesut Acar, MSc
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Persistent pain physiotherapy questions
Practical information before arranging an assessment.
What is persistent or chronic pain?
It generally describes pain continuing for more than three months or beyond the expected healing period. Persistent pain is real and may be influenced by several biological, psychological and social factors rather than one simple cause.
Can physiotherapy help if scans do not show a clear cause?
Physiotherapy may still help you understand symptoms, rebuild movement confidence and work towards meaningful activity. Scans are one part of assessment and do not always explain the intensity or impact of persistent pain.
Will exercise make my pain worse?
Exercise is introduced gradually and adapted to your response. Temporary symptom changes can occur, but the plan should start at a manageable level. New, severe or unusual symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.
How many sessions might I need?
There is no standard number. Frequency depends on your history, goals, current function, confidence and response to rehabilitation. Appointments are reviewed so support can change as you become more able to manage the plan independently.
What happens if my pain flares up?
Flare-ups can be discussed as part of planning. Strategies may include temporarily adjusting activity, using agreed movements and returning gradually to the plan. A significant or unusual change may require medical assessment.
Should I speak to my GP before starting physiotherapy?
Many people can arrange private physiotherapy directly, but speaking to your GP is appropriate if symptoms are new, worsening, unexplained or associated with concerning health changes. Medication decisions should remain with the prescribing clinician.
START YOUR RECOVERY
Ready to take a more confident approach to persistent pain?
Shirley clinic: 12th Health Therapy Rooms, 190 Robin Hood Lane, Birmingham B28 0LG.
Tell us how persistent pain affects your daily life so we can discuss an appropriate assessment option.
