Approach to Pain Management
The Pain Service recognises the complexity of a person’s experience of pain and that treatment needs to take into account both physical, psychological and social factors. Our treatments are available for both acute and chronic conditions.
Treatment for acute conditions
Following a recent injury, clients will benefit from physical therapies which may include techniques such as manual therapies, acupuncture and / or home exercise programmes. These treatments are undertaken by our team of physiotherapists. Recovery is typically expected within a few months.
Usually, our clients’ GP will prescribe pain killing medication (analgesia). However, our team of physiotherapists can assist in liaising with the GP in this respect.
In the event further medical investigation is indicated, our physiotherapists will also be able to advise and make recommendations either to The Pain Service direct or to the client’s GP.
Treatment for chronic pain conditions
Where pain persists and does not respond to such physical therapies and medication alone, this can trigger strong emotions such as frustration, low mood and even anxiety, making the pain worse. Such emotional and behavioural responses interact with the physical experience of pain and give rise to what is sometimes referred to as a ‘Chronic Pain Syndrome’.
Chronic pain is where pain lasts more than three months, and is described as being “an unpleasant physical and emotional experience”. It often has devastating effects upon people’s lives, impacting upon every aspect, not only in respect to the pain experienced, but also the person’s mood, work, relationships, social life and even the person’s core beliefs about themselves.
Whilst the cause of chronic pain may be unclear, the experience of pain is very real. As specialists in pain management we recognise the importance of enhancing our clients’ ability to live more adaptively with the pain in order to reduce their emotional distress.
Interdisciplinary approaches to Pain Management focus upon the use of both physical and psychological approaches. Psychological therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, are recognised to be key components of chronic pain management.
Our Pain Management Programme (PMP) uses both psychological therapists and physiotherapists to enable our clients to:
- Increase their understanding of pain
- Achieve an enhanced quality of life
- Identify an appropriate lifestyle to enhance fitness and well being
- Address symptoms of anxiety, and depression which may be exacerbating the person’s experience of pain
- Identify further needs for rehabilitation in terms of medical intervention, occupational support or employment advice