cognitive functional therapy

This is usually abbreviated to CFT. It is a treatment that starts with physiotherapy — it was devised by the Professor of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at Curtin University, Dr Peter O’Sullivan.  The input from this area of expertise which aims to restore normal movement by enabling patients to distinguish between normal and abnormal movements, the latter being developed as a response to pain.  It combines that with psychosocial training that encourages patients to self-manage their pain and to be aware of the behaviours and emotions that arise from their attitude to their own pain.  This involves an examination of their whole lifestyle, of the movement (or lack of movement) that has become habitual to them, and of the ways in which they have accommodated to their pain so that they can restore normal movement.  CFT has been recognised as a major improvement over existing methods for treating back pain with significantly better results over a longer period of time, although it does require more engagement with physiotherapists for a longer course of treatment.