North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service

There are two main types of pain. Acute pain happens after an injury or disease and helps us protect an injured area from unnecessary stress. Persistent or chronic pain carries on beyond the expected period of healing, usually more than three months. Unfortunately, there is more to persistent pain than simply hurting. This means using pain-killers or trying to block the pain may not be much use. The causes of persistent pain are complex, but over the past few years there is more understanding of why pain becomes persistent and the best things people can do to help manage that pain.

The North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service (NQPPMS) provides support, education and therapy with the goal of helping patients make sense of their pain and make the most of their lives.

Outpatient services:

• Education workshops
• Medical outpatient sessions
• Allied health outpatient sessions
• Medical procedural lists
• Patient assessment days: a multidisciplinary assessment
• Outreach services to Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa and the Torres Strait
• Pain management programs
• Telehealth services