Our service aims to support people struggling to cope with their persistent pain.
This is "pain that lasts beyond the time that tissues usually require to heal, considered as being beyond three to six months". Typically, these patients are:
- Unable to find effective pain relief
- Emotionally distressed regarding their pain
- Physically deconditioned so unable to participate in activities they value and enjoy
Common conditions seen in our clinic are:
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Hypermobility syndrome
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-surgical pain
Treatment is based on biopsychosocial and cognitive behavioural approaches recommended by the British Pain Society and NICE guidelines on low back pain. There is an emphasis on interdisciplinary working and promoting long-term self-help strategies. Our specialist team comprises of pain management consultants, clinic nurse, clinical psychologists and physiotherapists.
Exclusion criteria. Referrals are not accepted if the patient:
- Has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Is under the care of another pain management service
- Referred specifically for investigation of symptoms
Patients may be seen but we are limited in our ability to help those with:
- Ongoing diagnostic investigations or medical treatment related to the pain
- Severe active mental health problems
- Ongoing illicit drug and/or alcohol problems
- Significant life stresses that would interfere with patient engagement
- A physical disability that would prevent attendance in an outpatient clinic
- Useful Information to include in a referral
- Presenting problem and brief history
- Investigations and treatments performed and outcomes
- Current medication
- Other health problems and ongoing treatments
- Level of distress and current stressors
- History of mental health problems
- Employment status
- Physical activity level
