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HE Unit Template
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Complex Spine and Pain Presentations
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NHPPS3115 - Complex Spine and Pain Presentations
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20270200
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Course
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5.0
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2026-09-10
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2026-09-10
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Physiotherapy
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Institute of Health and Wellbeing
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Physiotherapy
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Undergraduate
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15
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.125
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061701
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Physiotherapy
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061701 - Physiotherapy
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<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/nhpps3115">View unit fees</a>
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Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
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7
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Advanced
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1
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<p>The unit will focus on the theoretical and biological principles that guide and justify the assessment of factors influencing pain. Further, the unit will focus on interventions which include working with people to manage the challenges associated with their pain. The unit emphasises integration of pain sciences into clinical reasoning models used to manage common clinical pain states, including spinal pain. Student will have the opportunity to further develop and refine their manual skills commonly used to manage spinal pain. This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from previous learning and will draw together biopsychosocial knowledges and selected psychomotor skills to clinically reason through the complexity of the pain experience, from acute through to persistent pain scenarios.</p>
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<p>Understanding Pain: Definitions and Models</p>
<p>Types and Mechanisms of Pain</p>
<p>Neuroanatomy and Neuroimmune Interactions</p>
<p>Psychosocial Influences on Pain</p>
<p>Assessment and Management of Persistent Pain</p>
<p>Safety and Risk Considerations in Manual Therapy</p>
<p>Manual Therapy in Pain Management</p>
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<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
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2027
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2026
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NHPPS3115 - Complex Spine and Pain Presentations
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NHPPS3115 - Complex Spine and Pain Presentations
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Semester 1
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Year
2027
2026
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Overview
Key information
Requisites
Learning outcomes
Assessment
FedTASK
Parent Region
Overview
Unit description
<p>The unit will focus on the theoretical and biological principles that guide and justify the assessment of factors influencing pain. Further, the unit will focus on interventions which include working with people to manage the challenges associated with their pain. The unit emphasises integration of pain sciences into clinical reasoning models used to manage common clinical pain states, including spinal pain. Student will have the opportunity to further develop and refine their manual skills commonly used to manage spinal pain. This unit builds on the knowledge and skills acquired from previous learning and will draw together biopsychosocial knowledges and selected psychomotor skills to clinically reason through the complexity of the pain experience, from acute through to persistent pain scenarios.</p>
Unit content
<p>Understanding Pain: Definitions and Models</p> <p>Types and Mechanisms of Pain</p> <p>Neuroanatomy and Neuroimmune Interactions</p> <p>Psychosocial Influences on Pain</p> <p>Assessment and Management of Persistent Pain</p> <p>Safety and Risk Considerations in Manual Therapy</p> <p>Manual Therapy in Pain Management</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Physiotherapy
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
061701 - Physiotherapy
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/nhpps3115">View unit fees</a>
Requisites
Prerequisite
<p>must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=NHPPS4001" target="_blank">NHPPS4001</a> OR must have completed <a href="/ords/r/curriculum/catalogue/course?p6_code=NHPPS4101" target="_blank">NHPPS4101</a></p>
Corequisite
None
Exclusion
None
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes
<p>On successful completion of this unit, students are expected to gain the following [K]nowledge, [S]kills and [A]pplication of knowledge & skills</p>
Learning Outcomes
Ref
Outcome
1
<p>Critically evaluate the multifaceted contributors to chronic pain, including biopsychosocial, pathophysiological and contextual factors, and integrate these into culturally safe, trauma-informed physiotherapy practice.</p>
2
<p>Select and apply valid, reliable measures to assess pain and related impairments across diverse presentations, and interpret findings to inform clinical reasoning.</p>
3
<p>Justify the selection, timing and application of various physiotherapy approaches, including manual therapy, pain neuroscience education and therapeutic exercise, based on contemporary evidence and individual patient context.</p>
4
<p>Demonstrate safe and effective manual therapy techniques and advanced therapeutic communication, including shared decision-making and pain neuroscience education, tailored to diverse chronic pain presentations.</p>
5
<p>Develop, implement and evaluate collaborative, evidence-based management plans aimed at modifying pain, promoting recovery and improving function, in partnership with patients and relevant health professionals.</p>
Assessment
Learning Tasks and Assessment
Ref
Learning task
Assessment type
Weighting
Learning outcomes assessed
1
<p>Patient education resource</p>
<p>Digital presentation</p>
<p>30-40%</p>
1, 3, 5
2
<p>Skill Demonstration</p>
<p>Practical Assessment</p>
<p>20-30%</p>
3, 4
3
<p>Case Presentation</p>
<p>Oral Viva</p>
<p>35-45%</p>
1, 2, 3, 5
Supplementary assessment available:
Yes
Supplementary assessment information:
<p>Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment.</p>
FedTASK
FedTASK
Description of FedTASK outcome
Level
FedTASK 1: Interpersonal
The ability to effectively communicate, interact and work with others both individually and in groups.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 2: Leadership
The ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others.
FedTASK 3: Critical Thinking and Creativity
The ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using imagination to create new ideas.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 4: Digital Literacy
The ability to work fluently across a range of tools and applications to achieve a range of skills.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK 5: Sustainable and Ethical Mindset
The ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions.
<p>Level 3 - Student works independently with limited guidance or works within self-determined guidelines appropriate to context</p>
FedTASK
<p>Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FedTASKs (<strong>T</strong>ransferable <strong>A</strong>ttributes <strong>S</strong>kills and <strong>K</strong>nowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key, transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and co-operative learning opportunities.</p>
Key information
Institute / school:
Institute of Health and Wellbeing
Discipline:
Physiotherapy
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
15
EFTSL:
0.125
Field of education:
061701 - Physiotherapy
Offering:
<p><strong>Semester 2</strong><p>Gippsland - Churchill (On Campus)</p></p>
Grade scheme:
Graded (e.g. HD, D, C, etc)
Placement component:
No
Fee information:
<a href="http://www.federation.edu.au/locate/unit/nhpps3115">View unit fees</a>
Additional information
Add Info Static Text
Internal reference: NHPPS3115 - U5.0