Understanding Chronic Pain: Billy Gilhooley Explains Why It Won’t Just 'Go Away'

If you’ve ever been told “it’s all in your head” or “you’ll just have to live with it,” then you’re not alone.

Chronic pain can feel isolating, frustrating, and endless. But here’s the truth: it’s real, and it’s not something you can just push through or ignore.

I’m Billy Gilhooley, a physiotherapist based in Preston, and this blog is here to help unpack what chronic pain actually is and why a new approach could finally move the needle for you.

Billy Gilhooley, Preston physiotherapist, at Specific Physiotherapy explaining chronic pain

What Is Chronic Pain, Really?

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than three months, well beyond the expected healing time. But that definition barely scratches the surface.

Unlike acute pain, like spraining your ankle or pulling a muscle, chronic pain isn’t always linked to ongoing injury. In many cases, the original tissue damage has healed, but the pain remains. That’s because chronic pain is driven by changes in the nervous system, not just the muscles or joints.

Your brain and spinal cord essentially become more sensitive, like a faulty alarm system that keeps going off even after the fire is out. This is known as central sensitisation and it plays a big role in persistent pain.

Common Conditions I See in Preston That Involve Chronic Pain

• Lower back pain that flares up randomly

• Long-standing shoulder issues with no clear cause

• Headaches that aren’t resolved by imaging

• Pain after surgery, even when everything has “healed”

• Widespread fibromyalgia-type symptoms

• Pain that moves around, or feels out of proportion to what scans show

In all of these cases, clients often tell me: “I’ve tried everything but nothing works.”

Why Doesn’t It Go Away on Its Own?

This is where things get complex. Chronic pain sticks around for a few key reasons:

• The nervous system is now overprotective. Even gentle movement can be interpreted as dangerous.

• Fear and avoidance feed the pain loop. The less you move, the more your system de-conditions and tenses up.

• Sleep, mood, and stress impact your pain threshold. These aren’t side effects — they’re part of the pain experience.

• You may not have received the right type of treatment. Passive modalities alone (like heat packs or basic stretching) rarely address the deeper issue, unlike our physiotherapy treatments in Preston.

Many of my clients have spent years managing symptoms with short-term fixes from heat packs to basic stretching without ever addressing what’s actually driving their pain. If that sounds familiar, you might find this helpful: Stop Managing Pain. Billy Gilhooley’s Approach to Treating the Real Cause explores how we shift from temporary relief to long-term recovery.

How I Approach Chronic Pain Differently

At my clinic in Preston - Specific Physiotherapy I take an approach that combines modern pain science with hands-on treatment and practical movement retraining.

Here’s what that looks like in real terms:

1. We Educate the Nervous System, Not Just the Body

When I work with a client in chronic pain, we don’t just “stretch it out.” I help you understand why your pain is there, what’s happening inside your body, and how we can begin to desensitise the nervous system. Knowledge is power and it calms the system.

2. We Start With Safe, Graded Movement

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t exercised in years. We’ll find a movement you can do, build confidence, and use that as your entry point. It might be walking to the mailbox or doing 3 squats holding onto a chair.

3. Manual Therapy That Makes Sense

A hands-on approach still plays a vital role. I use specific techniques such as joint mobilisation, dry needling, and soft tissue release not just for short-term relief but to create a window of opportunity for movement.

4. We Tackle the Other Stuff Too

Sleep hygiene, stress management, breath work. All these are part of your treatment plan. Chronic pain is multifactorial, and so is the solution.

Real Progress Takes Time But It’s Possible

I’ve seen clients with 10+ years of pain get their lives back. It takes a collaborative approach, consistency, and a willingness to explore new strategies... but it can be done.

Not sure if this approach is right for you? Browse our frequently asked questions.

If you're in Preston or the surrounding suburbs and you're tired of living in pain, I’m here to help. You can book online or call (03) 9579 5919.