The Spinal Pain Service is run by health professionals experienced in the assessment and management of back and neck (spine) pain.
About this service
The staff at the Spinal Pain Service include:
- Physiotherapists
- Psychologists
- Allied Health Assistants.
We help to work out what is causing your spine pain and talk with you about the treatment options.
If we think that surgery may help you, we will talk with you and a Neurosurgeon about this.
If we think surgery would not be helpful, we will talk with you about other treatments, such as physiotherapy or different types of exercise. This may involve ongoing treatment in the Spinal Pain Service, or referral to other services that are more suitable, or closer to where you live.
We aim to give you information that will help you really understand your condition and what you can do to improve it. This could include learning different ways to manage pain and improve your quality of life, through individual or group sessions with our psychologist.
Who we care for
We help people with spine pain who may not have got better with other treatments they have tried.
Some people who come to the service are recommended by a Neurosurgeon before deciding whether to have surgery. Others have been cared for by a Rheumatologist, either in hospital or in an outpatient clinic.
This service is free if you have a Medicare Card.
If you need help with your back pain and are not able to come to the Spinal Pain Service, you can make an appointment with the Community Care Physiotherapy Service.
How to access this service
A Neurosurgeon or Rheumatologist at Canberra Hospital will refer you to this service.
We do not accept referrals directly from GPs.
If the neurosurgeon recommends the Spinal Pain Service for you, your appointment with us will be the first step in your care.
We will contact you to organise an appointment.
What to expect
All appointments in the Spinal Pain Service take about an hour. Your first appointment may be a little longer, depending on your needs.
Before the first appointment, you may be asked to complete some questionnaires about how your pain affects you.
You should wear comfortable clothing. The appointment will involve talking about your pain problem, but we will also look at how you move. You may also learn some exercises to do at home.
If you decide to continue with treatment in our service after your first appointment, the physiotherapist will arrange ongoing appointments with you. If you are going to see the psychologist, they will contact you directly.
What to bring to your appointment
- Medicare card
- Any letters or correspondence from your GP
- Health Care Card and/or concession card (if you have one)
- List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes), including medicines you have bought without a prescription, such as herbal supplements and vitamins
- Previous x-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
Where we’re located
Belconnen Community Health Centre.
We have directions and transport information for this service.
Resources
Do you or someone you know have lower back pain? (PDF, 830.51 KB)
