Topaz lived with back pain for 14 years after a horse-riding accident. At its worst, her pain reached 9/10, affecting her work and hobbies. Through a tailored rehab programme focused on strengthening, pain education, and gradual return to activity, she reduced her pain, stopped medication, and even hit her first home run in softball. Today, her back pain has completely resolved, showing recovery is possible even after years of suffering.

I recently attended the SIRPA 15th Anniversary Conference and was genuinely blown away. Speaker after speaker offered fresh, insightful perspectives on stress-related conditions like persistent pain, IBS, and chronic fatigue. The day highlighted the urgent need to embrace a balanced biopsychosocial model in healthcare—and the risks when we don't. It left me hopeful that the tide is turning toward more compassionate, comprehensive care.

Introduction As a physiotherapist, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing a patient get better, especially with long-standing pain....