Welcome to biio.synthesis—Australia's premier program for persistent pain

Don't miss our next intake, commencing January 20th, 2025

The program

Available Australia-wide, biio.synthesis is a digital group program for independent pain management and rehabilitation.

Over six weeks, participants learn evidence-based strategies for pain relief and functional improvement, supported by an expert interdisciplinary team.

Interactive group sessions are paired with one-on-one integration sessions, ensuring new learnings are tailored and actioned every week.

Our digital format makes biio.synthesis accessible and sustainable—even on bad pain days—from the comfort of your home, anywhere in Australia.

If you're tired of living with pain, this is your invitation to life beyond.

How it works—our hybrid delivery format

Weekly 2-hour group workshops

Join us for six weekly 2-hour interactive group sessions, all conducted online. These sessions offer:

• High-impact, cost-effective education
• Engaging peer-to-peer interactions
• Enhanced social accountability
• Improved program adherence

One-on-one integration sessions

Alongside each workshop, we deliver weekly one-on-one integration sessions with our program lead, Caitlin McPhee. These personalised sessions ensure:

• Tailored application of program learnings
• Integration of strategies into daily life
• Individualised support and guidance

The outcomes

From initial to eight weeks post, program participants displayed:

Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire

122% improvement in pain self efficacy
Participants gain confidence in their ability to manage their pain and function effectively in their daily lives despite experiencing pain.

Pain Catastrophizing Scale

48% improvement in pain catastrophizing
Participants significantly reduce their tendency to magnify the threat of pain, ruminate on pain, or feel helpless about their pain.

Brief Pain Inventory Questionnaire

70% improvement in relief from pain management strategies
Participants implement effective pain management strategies, and sustained practicing them beyond the program.

23% reduction in pain interference
Pain is substantially less disruptive to participants' daily lives and activities by the end of the program.

17% improvement in average pain intensity
A 17% reduction in pain intensity is clinically significant and suggests that participants were experiencing less severe pain overall.

DASS-21 Questionnaire

49% reduction in Depression + 37% reduction in Anxiety + 7% reduction in Stress
The significant reductions in depression and anxiety scores are particularly noteworthy and suggest that the program effectively addressed the psychological aspects of chronic pain, which are often as debilitating as the physical symptoms themselves.

Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire

20% improvement in musculoskeletal pain
This outcome indicates that the program effectively addressed multiple aspects of pain management, including psychological, functional, and work-related factors.

Your complete guide to biio.synthesis

Feel supported by leading experts

Dr Olivia Ong

Pain Specialist & Rehabilitation Medicine Specialist

After being hit by a car in 2008, Olivia was told she would never walk or practice medicine again. Thus began her own journey with pain and recovery. After years of intensive treatment and dedication, she walked again. Today, she's practicing medicine, coaching fellow physicians, and is the winner of AusMumpreneur 2024 Coach of the Year.

Integrating her in-depth clinical knowledge with her own personal experience, Dr. Olivia offers insight, understanding, and hope to those seeking to understand their conditions.

Caitlin McPhee

Senior Physiotherapist & Integrative Health Coach

After several years supporting people with persistent pain in individual therapy, our Program Lead, Caitlin McPhee, saw the glaring need for moremore education, more support, and more empowerment—in the treatment of persistent pain. This is how biio.synthesis came to be.

As facilitator of the weekly individual integration sessions, Caitlin is your consistent touchpoint throughout the program. Each week, you'll meet for 30-45 minutes to review the weeks learning, tailor every strategy to your unique needs and preferences, and ensure you're progressing towards your goals.

Lanhowe Chen

Senior Clinical Pain Psychologist

Growing up, Lan witnessed his mother struggle with persistent aches and pains. This early drive to understand, and help, his mum has shaped his compassionate and collaborative approach as a leading professional in the field of pain psychology.

Drawing on his experience practicing in pain clinics all around Australia, Lan delves into the psychology of pain, guiding participants to a deeper understanding of how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours influence their experience of pain.

Michal Baghlani

Integrative Psychologist & Wellbeing Coach

Few things motivate us like seeing our kids in pain—and that was certainly the case for Michal. Watching her two sons grow severely ill and fighting for years for a diagnosis led her to a more expansive understanding of wellbeing and pain management.

Integrating her background in injury rehabilitation with her learnings in lifestyle medicine—nutrition, sleep, and stress management—Michal leads participants to design a lifestyle supportive of their overall health and wellbeing.

Mary Robert

Senior Clinical Pain Psychologist

Inspired by the life-changing impact of a pain management program on a friend, Mary became fascinated by the neuroplastic and psychosocial components of persistent pain. She sought out pain management practices for her Masters degree placements, and never turned back.

Today, specialising in pain psychology and sleep psychology, Mary brings over 15 years of experience in multidisciplinary pain care and an expansive toolkit of practical pain management strategies.

Freya Bronwin

Psychotherapist & Performance Coach

The longer pain persists, the more it takes over one's world—one's sense of self, identity, and abilities (or perceived lack thereof). This experience creates a narrative that becomes who we are... and often, unravelling this story is essential to turning the page and writing a new one.

Drawing on her experience as an executive coach for Google with her clinical expertise in Narrative therapy, Freya guides participants to reclaim their identity beyond pain. She empowers participants to recognise their strengths, rewrite their stories, and envision a future where pain no longer defines them.

Greg Diamond

Senior Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

With a cheeky sense of humour, nearly four decades experiences in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, and an enduring passion for personal development, Greg's approach to pain management is proactive, practical and life-affirming. As a practitioner at Biio, and adviser of biio.synthesis, Greg brings unparalleled expertise to our team.

Tracy Wallwork

Senior Pain Physiotherapist & Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

With dual qualifications in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and pain physiotherapy, Tracy brings a unique perspective to persistent pain pathophysiology and treatment. Throughout her career, Tracy has gained diverse experience practising in Australia and abroad, continually deepening her fascination with the complex interconnection between the musculoskeletal system and nervous system.

Raelene Clark

Senior Orofacial Pain Therapist

With nearly three decades of clinical and academic experience and a Masters in Orofacial Pain, Raelene stands as a beacon of expertise in her field—one of only three therapists in Australia with her specialisation.

Throughout her career, Raelene has made significant contributions to academia, sharing her insights as a lecturer in some of Western Australia's most prestigious universities. She has held roles at the WA Institute of Sport, Tennis West, WASO, and Therapy Focus, along with developing myofascial pain programs for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Upcoming Dates

January 20th
Mondays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Mondays, 2pm to 4pm
March 10th
Mondays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Mondays, 2pm to 4pm
April 28th
Mondays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Mondays, 2pm to 4pm
June 16th
Mondays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Mondays, 2pm to 4pm
August 4th
Mondays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Mondays, 2pm to 4pm
September 22th
Mondays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Mondays, 2pm to 4pm
November 10th
Mondays, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Mondays, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Mondays, 2pm to 4pm

Flexible funding options

Third Party Insurers

If your pain is related to a workplace or motor vehicle accident, you may be eligible for funding via Worker's Compensation or Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance.

For Referrers:
Simply complete our referral form and attach any supporting documentation that may assist us in seeking insurer approval. We'll lodge an approval request and keep you informed along the way.

Department of Veteran Affairs

If you're a veteran living with persistent pain, you may be eligible for funding via Department of Veteran's Affairs.

For Referrers:
Complete our referral form and attach any supporting documentation that may assist us in seeking approval. We'll lodge a request with DVA Health Approvals and keep you informed along the way.

Private & Self-Funding Participants

To make the program more accessible to self-funding participants, we offer a discounted payment plan option for private patients.

If you have private health insurance with extras cover, you may also be eligible for private health rebates.

Any questions?

Can I apply for Worker's Comp or MVAI coverage?

Absolutely. If you have an active worker's compensation or motor vehicle accident insurance claim, you may be eligible for full funding of the program. Simply apply, send us any supporting documentation you may have, and we'll take care of the rest.

Can I apply for DVA funding?

If your approved conditions with DVA have caused or affected your persistent pain, you may be eligible for full funding. Submit an application and send us any supporting documentation you may have, and we'll submit a request to DVA health approvals on your behalf.

Do you offer a telehealth option?

Yes, the program is 100% online and accessible anywhere in Australia.

What's the weekly time commitment?

Group workshops run weekly on Monday or Friday for two hours. Your individual sessions are between 30-45 minutes and may be scheduled at any time convenient for you. This makes the total time commitment approximately 2.5 hours per week for six weeks.

Is the program suitable for all types of persistent pain?

biio.synthesis is designed to address various types of persistent pain, including but not limited to:

• Chronic back pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Neuropathic pain
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Persistent post-surgical pain
• Chronic headaches and migraines
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Our program utilises evidence-based strategies that can be applied to many pain conditions.

I'm self-funding. Do you offer payment plans?

Absolutely. We offer a discounted payment plan option for private / self-funding participants. If you have private health cover, you may also be eligible for private health rebates on your individual integration sessions, further reducing the cost of the program.

What technology do I need to participate?

You'll need a reliable internet connection and a device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) capable of video conferencing. We'll provide detailed instructions on how to join the sessions.

Is there any follow-up support after the six-week program?

Yes, as part of the program we include two follow-up integrations sessions, 2-4 weeks post participation, and access to a community forum where you can connect with other program graduates and continue your pain management journey.

We're just weeks away from accepting our next round of patients, and we'd be honoured to share the journey with you.

Thank you for your interest in biio.synthesis.

A member of our team will review your application, and reach out shortly.
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Support your patient with the very best in evidence-based pain management, from the comfort of their own home, anywhere in Australia.

Thank you for your interest in biio.synthesis.

A member of our team will review your application, and reach out shortly.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Begin your journey from patient to empowerment

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