Having recently participated in the Glad Hip Wellbeing program at Marion Physio and enjoying the overall life improvements I have followed through with the pain management program run by Advanced Pain Solutions at the same location.

Julie & Ivan who run this program are both well qualified with hands on experience in pain management and the physical & physiology side that each individual needs to improve our quality of life .

I can fully recommend this program to anyone.

I first came to Marion Physiotherapy and the Advanced Pain Solutions team almost two years ago and I feel like I have been part of the family ever since.

After suffering with fibromyalgia and CFS/ME for as long as I can remember, as well as chronic pelvic pain from endometriosis--and constantly being met with comments that either discredited my experiences or implied that I should suffer silently--I am so glad that I met these specialists.

I feel supported both physically and psychologically; I have tools to deal with flare-ups, information to know what is happening when I feel pain, and have been able to watch myself gain function and energy to do things that I would have never dreamed of accomplishing. The "Pain Group" intensive absolutely changed my life. The multi-disciplinary/holistic approach means that you are able to both learn about, and put into practice strategies which consider, the fact that pain and fatigue are part of complex systems that include physiological functioning, mental health, sleep, diet, and even context and social environment. I would recommend it without hesitation to anyone suffering from persistent pain and/or fatigue.

Since starting my journey here, I am able to study, work, exercise, and socialise more than I ever thought possible before. I have learned to listen to my body without hating or punishing it. I also know I will always have a support system if and when I find myself in a tough spot. If you know the frustration of seeing multiple health professionals who don't seem to "get it", you can imagine the weight that is lifted off your shoulders when you find someone who does. This team gets it.

Julie Peacock is an inspiring woman in a myriad of respects: not only is she an incredible professional, she is also compassionate beyond words. Her story is inspiring: she has overcome unimaginable obstacles with grace and perseverance, and she has dedicated her life to helping others. She goes absolutely above and beyond for her patients and has brought together a collective of health professionals who share her vision and commitment. In our first appointment, it was like she saw right through me to the heart of my experience.

I have worked mostly with physio Jess Hartley, who is absolutely dedicated to her patients: she is intelligent, professional, and compassionate. The scope of her helpfulness goes beyond what you'd expect: she carries with her a tome of multi-disciplinary information, life experience, and emotional intelligence. Her advice and problem-solving skills are second-to-none. No matter how down I feel at the beginning, I always leave our appointments with a big smile on my face.

Psychologist Ivan Atkinson has the ability to encourage you to challenge your own negative thinking while simultaneously creating an environment in which it feels safe to do so. He listens closely to you without prejudice and is able to adapt his approach depending on your personality and needs. I have never met a psych with the ability to trace the relationship between physiological and psychological experiences of pain, fatigue, emotions, and trauma and explain them in an accessible way. I have deeply benefitted from our conversations about creating pragmatic solutions to help alleviate complex problems.

Right from the reception desk to the consulting room, you feel safe and supported. I have never experienced such a thoughtfully and effectively curated team of professionals. I can see that there is no room for mediocrity within these walls. (My dad recently tried this place on my recommendation and he has proclaimed that he will never go to a different physio ever again!) It is everyone's personal mission to help you get the most out of your experience.

Sure, I am still in pain. Every day. Every second. But I am no longer afraid. I am no longer using the pain as a way of punishing myself. I am no longer deferring my life. I am no longer a stranger in my own body. I am living with pain: but I am no longer defined by it.