Often, chronic pain is an illness in its own right, due to a fault or malfunction in the body’s pain system. You may have a painful diagnosed condition such as arthritis or diabetes nerve pain. Or, you may have a painful condition that medical science doesn’t fully understand, such as long-term back pain.
Whatever the cause of your pain, it’s important that doctors and other clinicians take you and your pain seriously. That’s because pain is a complicated, hard-to-treat problem, and the answer may not necessarily always be stronger and stronger painkillers.
What type of pain do you have?
Determine the type of pain you have to discover what treatments may be beneficial (Acute, Chronic, Neuropathic, Cancer) Read more about pain here.
Reconnect 2 Life
Reconnect2Life is a fabulous interactive programme form Torbay Hospital to help you understand pain, the brain and how to improve your quality of life. There’s a number of different modules which can be completed in any order you please.
Neuropathic pain (Nerve pain)
Neuropathic pain comes from problems with signals from the nerves. There are various causes. Traditional painkillers such as paracetamol, anti-inflammatories and opiates (Codeine, Morphine) usually don’t help very much and opiates can in fact lead to a worsening of this pain. However, it is often eased by antidepressant or anti-epileptic medicines, used as “nerve calming” medication. Read more about Neuropathic Pain here
Pilates to relieve stress & tension
Pilates for those with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue and Multiple Sclerosis. Gentle strength and flexibility exercises to relieve tension in the body and improve mobility.
Opioid tapering guide
There is very little evidence that opioids have a role in long tem pain management. Sometimes, opioids can actually cause your pain to get worse! This is called “Opioid Induced Hyperalgesia”
GPs abide by the Faculty of Pain Medicine Guidance which states “If the patient is using opioids but is still in pain, the opioids are not effective and should be discontinued”. We will be keen to reassess you and reduce the amount of opioid you are taking
This leaflet explains other long term side effects and provides a guide to weaning off these medications
Versus Arthritis
Search our A-Z or type in the condition you’d like more information about, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, fibromyalgia and many more. Plus the benefits of exercising with arthritis and complementary and alternative techniques
NHS: Fibromyalgia
A condition causing generalised pain, tiredness, sleeping problems and poor memory. Medication is usually ineffective. Click here to find out about what help is available locally – “The moving forward with Fibromyalgia programme”. It’s fab but you will need to talk to us before you can access it just to check it’s right for you.
Back Pain – Mythbusters!
Chartered Institute of Physiotherapists – Busting myths and reinforcing what the latest evidence says is best for your back.
NHS: Back Pain including Interactive Guide
Scroll down to the interactive guide to learn more about the different types of back pain, get advice on treatment and understand how to prevent back pain in the future.
NHS Choices: Living with pain
Practical guidance for people who live with chronic or persistent pain.
Watch videos of other people’s experiences of chronic pain and using NHS Pain Management Programmes
NHS Pain Management Programmes (PMPs) help people to live with chronic pain by helping them to learn ways of dealing with the disabling effects and distress caused by being in pain.
Sheffield Persistent Pain
This website can help you understand what persistent pain is and offers tips, advice and information to help you self-manage your condition and enjoy a better quality of life.
Charity: Pain Concern
Pain Concern produce information on pain using a variety of media platforms, support to people with pain and those who care for them and campaign to raise awareness about pain and improve the provision of pain management services.
INPUT Pain Unit
We are an NHS service, running pain management programmes throughout the year for patients from all over the UK. Our vision is to provide world-class pain management, good health outcomes and excellent patient experience, based on research, evidence and national and international standards.
Fibromyalgia: ‘It’s like red hot lava radiating through my body’
“It’s really important to keep moving your body, if you stay still for too long you will seize up.”
Watch this video on Facebook from BBC Lifestyle and Health News in which women with fibromyalgia come together to share their stories and help one another.
