Our approach to persistent low back pain is centred around a Cognitive Functional Therapy approach. 

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Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT) is an evidence-based approach to managing persistent (chronic) pain, especially low back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions.

It was developed by Professor Peter O’Sullivan and colleagues in Australia, and it integrates insights from pain science, behavioral psychology, and physical rehabilitation.

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CFT views pain not simply as a result of tissue damage but as a complex, multidimensional experience influenced by:

• Physical factors (movement, posture, conditioning)

• Psychological factors (thoughts, emotions, beliefs)

• Social factors (work, relationships, stress)

The goal is to help people understand and retrain how they think about, respond to, and move with pain.

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1. Individualised Assessment

   • The clinician explores the person’s beliefs about pain, fears, movement habits, lifestyle, and stressors.

   • They identify unhelpful patterns like fear-avoidance (“If I bend, I’ll damage my back”) or protective movement behaviors.

2. Cognitive Reframing

   • The therapist helps the person reconceptualise pain — for example, understanding that persistent pain doesn’t always mean damage.

   • This reduces fear and catastrophising.

3. Functional Movement Retraining

   • The person learns to move more naturally and confidently again, without excessive guarding or avoidance.

   • Focus is on movements meaningful to the individual’s life — e.g., bending, lifting, walking, sitting.

4. Lifestyle & Behavioral Change

   • Guidance on sleep, activity, work, stress, and social engagement.

   • Encourages self-management and autonomy.

 

Resources For people who are living with persistent low back pain and their support network 

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https://evoolvepaincare.academy/patient-resources