Stop Managing Pain. Billy Gilhooley’s Approach to Treating the Real Cause
- Billy Gilhooley
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 11
We hear it all the time:“You just have to manage the pain.”
Whether it’s your GP, Google, or well-meaning friends — the advice often circles back to coping. Tape it. Ice it. Strengthen it. Stretch it. Come back in a few weeks.
But what if your pain isn’t something to manage?
What if it’s something that can be resolved — by properly identifying what’s actually causing it?
That’s the goal behind every treatment I deliver at Specific Physiotherapy Preston.
Get clear on what’s driving the pain, treat that specifically, and let your body take care of the rest.
Why “Management” Falls Short
Pain management might involve medication, stretches, ergonomic advice, or strengthening.
These all have their place — especially for chronic or complex cases — but the reality is:
If we’re not addressing the root cause, we’re just chasing symptoms.
And that’s where the cycle begins:
Relief → Flare-up
Better for a bit → Regress again
More appointments → Less clarity
What’s missing? A sharp eye for movement. A good set of hands. And a therapist who’s willing to treat what matters.
When you address the true cause of pain — not just the symptoms — noticeable relief can happen fast.
The Body Is a System — Not a Set of Isolated Parts
I often describe the body as a team of moving parts. When one part underperforms, another has to work harder — and that overload becomes pain.
Here are some real-world examples I regularly see in clinic:
🦶 Plantar Fasciitis
The problem: Poor arch control or inadequate footwear leads to excessive strain on the plantar fascia during walking, running, or standing for long periods.
The cause: It’s not just the fascia — it’s how the foot moves under load, how the arch is supported, and whether your shoes match your activity type.
What works: We decompress the fascia, address calf tightness, improve ankle mobility and (critically) correct the footwear issue. Relief usually comes quickly — and lasts when the load is right.
🪑 Lower Back Pain from Sitting
The problem: Spending hours slouched or tilted through the pelvis loads the lumbar spine and sensitises joints, discs, and supporting muscles.
The cause: It’s usually not “sitting” itself — but poor pelvic control and lack of variability in posture.
What works: Manual decompression, joint mobilisation, and simple, practical posture tweaks. Not just “sit up straight,” but real techniques to reduce pressure and improve spinal control.
💥 Tennis Elbow & Radial Head Dysfunction
The problem: Pain on the outside of the elbow worsens with gripping, lifting, punching, or desk work.
The cause: In many cases, a stiff or dysfunctional radial head (elbow joint) increases stress on tendons and surrounding muscles.
What works: Gentle radial head mobilisation or manipulation offloads the tendon and improves function. Results can be surprisingly fast. Then we look at contributing factors — punching form, lifting technique, or desk setup.
🤯 Chronic Pain: Not Just in the Body — In the Nervous System
If your pain has been around for months or years, it’s not always about ongoing tissue damage. The nervous system learns pain — and can keep sending warning signals long after the original issue resolves.
But your system can unlearn it.
We do that by restoring safe, confident movement. The kind your body trusts again.
That’s why treatment includes:
Hands-on relief
Specific mobility work
Gradual movement reloading
Pain education you can actually understand
I Don’t Guess — I Assess, Test and Re-Test
Every session, I’m asking:
What’s not moving?
What’s working too hard?
What improves with a small change in position, form, or control?
Then we re-test:
Did your range improve?
Did the pain shift or ease?
Did that decompression or adjustment make a difference?
If yes — we’re onto something. If not — we refine it again.
Small Changes. Big Relief.
I’ve lost count of how many people say:“That’s the first time anyone actually explained it to me.”
Often it’s not 10 exercises or a long plan. It’s one sharp correction:
The right shoes
A cue to activate the glutes properly
Mobilising a stiff joint that’s been locked up for years
A change in how you hinge or squat
A single daily move to offset 8 hours of desk time
That’s how long-term relief starts. Not from doing more — but from doing the right thing.
The key is identifying what you need. Not generic stretches. Not a cookie-cutter plan. But the right treatment for your body, your pain, and your movement habits.
My Philosophy
The more specifically you address the cause, the less there is to manage.
You don’t need to “cope with pain” forever. You need someone to help you move better — with confidence and control.
Want to Work Together?
I practise from Specific Physiotherapy Preston, located at:
📍 149 Plenty Road, Preston VIC 3072
📞 (03) 9579 5919
🚋 Tram Route 86 — Seymour Street stop
🅿️ Parking on Seymour Street
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