You've tried everything for your pain. This is the part everyone skipped
Chronic & Persistent Pain · Exercise Physiology
If physio, medication, injections, scans or surgery haven’t given you lasting relief, you’re not out of options — and it’s not in your head. Persistent pain responds to a different approach: one that retrains how your body and nervous system handle load, movement and confidence.
That’s exactly what Jackson does.
No GP referral needed
One-on-one, never double-booked
If any of this sounds familiar, keep reading
Most people who book with Jackson have been living with pain for months or years, and have usually heard some version of “the scans look fine” or “you’ll just have to manage it.” You might recognise yourself here:
- You’ve had physio, massage, medication, injections — maybe surgery — and the relief never lasted.
- Your scans or X-rays came back “normal,” but the pain is very real.
- You’ve been told to “just rest,” or the opposite — “push through it” — and neither worked.
- You’ve started avoiding movements, activities or plans because you’re worried about a flare-up.
- The pain has changed how you sleep, work, train, or show up for the people you love.
- You’re not looking for another quick fix — you want to actually understand what’s going on and get moving again.
None of this means the pain is permanent, and none of it means you’re doing something wrong.
It means the usual “treat the tissue” model has run its course — and there’s a more effective place to start.
Why "persistent" pain needs a different playbook
Pain that lasts beyond the normal healing time — usually more than about three months — is called persistent or chronic pain. Here’s the part that changes everything: once pain has been around this long, it’s often no longer a reliable read-out of damage in your tissues.
Think of pain as your body’s alarm system. In the early days after an injury, the alarm is doing its job — protecting healing tissue. But when pain persists, the alarm system itself can become more sensitive, firing louder and more often even when there’s little or no tissue under threat. This is why two people with identical scans can have completely different levels of pain, and why “the imaging looks fine” and “I’m still in agony” can both be true at the same time.
This is genuinely good news. A sensitive alarm can be turned back down. Not by resting and avoiding — which tends to make the system more protective over time — but by gradually and safely showing your body that movement is okay again. That’s a trainable process, and it’s the heart of what an exercise physiologist does.
What actually helps persistent pain
Decades of research point to the same conclusion: the most effective, best-evidenced approach to persistent pain isn’t more passive treatment — it’s an active, gradual, personalised return to movement, supported by understanding why your pain works the way it does. That combination — the right movement, dosed correctly, plus education that takes the fear out of it — is what helps the nervous system feel safe enough to settle.
That’s not “no pain, no gain,” and it’s not “just exercise more.” It’s precise, graded, and built entirely around where you’re at today.
Where an exercise physiologist fits in your pain journey
Passive treatment alone
Feels good in the moment, but relief often fades by the next day. Little change to your underlying capacity. You keep coming back.
"Just go to the gym"
Right idea, wrong dose. Generic programs often flare persistent pain because they’re not built for a sensitised system — so people give up and conclude “exercise makes it worse.”
Exercise physiology with Jackson
Movement prescribed like medicine — the right type, the right amount, progressed as you adapt — plus the education to make it stick. Built for your pain, not a generic back.
Rebates Available
Exercise physiology is covered under many private health extras, and is available through GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plans, and DVA and NDIS pathways where eligible.
Meet Jackson — your Exercise Physiologist for persistent pain
Jackson is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist at Rebound Health with a genuine, focused interest in helping people with chronic and persistent pain get their lives back.
Where some clinicians see a “difficult” or “complex” case, Jackson sees the person who’s been let down by one-size-fits-all care — and gets to work. His approach is calm, thorough and paced to you: he takes the time to understand your full history, explains what’s actually going on in language that makes sense, and builds a plan you can believe in and stick to.
- Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP)
- Special interest in chronic & persistent pain
- Evidence-based, movement-first approach
- One-on-one care — no rushed, double-booked sessions
What working with Jackson looks like
No mystery, no open-ended commitment. Here’s exactly how it works.
Step 1 — Your initial assessment We start with a thorough one-on-one assessment. Jackson takes a full history, understands how pain is affecting your life and goals, and assesses your movement — no rushing, no assumptions. You’ll leave understanding your pain more clearly than you probably have in a long time.
Step 2 — Your personalised plan Together you’ll map out a plan built around your goals and your current capacity — the right movements, dosed so they help rather than flare. You’ll know what you’re doing and, just as importantly, why.
Step 3 — Guided, graded progress Jackson coaches you through the plan and adjusts as your body adapts, gradually building strength, tolerance and confidence. Flare-ups are normal and planned for — you’ll have the tools to handle them instead of fearing them.
Step 4 — Independence The goal isn’t to see you forever. It’s to hand you the understanding and capability to keep moving well on your own — coming back by choice, not necessity. (
Conditions Jackson commonly helps with
Persistent pain shows up in many forms. Jackson regularly supports people living with:
Persistent low back pain
Chronic neck & shoulder pain
Sciatica & nerve-related pain
Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, hand)
Persistent post-surgical pain
Fibromyalgia & widespread pain
Recurring or “unexplained” pain with normal scans
Chronic tendon pain (tendinopathy)
Pain that flares with activity or has stopped you exercising
Frequently Asked Questions
At Rebound, we are committed to offering valuable educational resources and addressing your most common questions to support your journey to better health and wellness.
I've already tried physio and exercise and it didn't help. Why would this be different?
Generic exercise often flares persistent pain because it’s not dosed for a sensitised system — so people understandably conclude exercise isn’t for them. Jackson’s approach is different in two ways: the movement is prescribed and progressed precisely for where you’re at, and it’s paired with education so you understand what’s happening. That combination is what allows the nervous system to settle rather than stay on high alert.
Do I need a GP referral?
No — you can book directly. That said, if you have a GP Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan, you may be able to access subsidised sessions, and referrals help us coordinate with your GP.
Will this hurt? I'm worried about making it worse.
The plan is built specifically to avoid unhelpful flare-ups, starting at a level that feels safe and progressing gradually. Some sensation during movement is normal and, importantly, isn’t a sign of damage — Jackson will explain exactly what to expect and how to manage it. You’re always in control of the pace.
How long until I feel better?
Everyone’s different, and anyone promising a fixed timeline or a “cure” isn’t being straight with you. Many people notice a shift in understanding and confidence early, with physical gains building over subsequent weeks. Jackson will give you a realistic picture after your assessment.