Guide to Pain Management

Pain Management Programmes and how they work

(Please see at the bottom of this page for information about Pain/Self-management Support groups here in the UK and overseas.)

There are many aims of a Pain Management Programme. The main ones are to...

  • Improve the fitness, mobility and posture; counteract the effects of disuse.
  • Counteract unhelpful beliefs and improve mood and confidence.
  • Avoid adverse drug effects
  • Improve stress management
  • Reduce effects of pain on the family.

The aim of Pain Management Programmes is to use a number of practical techniques and psychological strategies to enable a person with on-going pain to maintain physical performance, optimise day today function and reduce distress and suffering. The components usually include: -

  • Physiotherapy: Where a programme of stretch and exercise helps the patient regain fitness and flexibility. The patients are helped to identify their baseline activities and learn how to build on this so that they, not the pain, control the amount of activity thus leading to improvements in their physical state. Individual exercise plans can be implemented where patients have particular problems.

  • Occupational Therapy: Helping patients identify activities, duties and hobbies that they want to return to and teaching them how to achieve these tasks in a measured and controlled way without overdoing or straining.

  • Psychology:Many patients feel frustrated and angry because they cannot achieve tasks they have set themselves as they would wish, or they may feel anxious or panicky at times of increased pain. These thoughts and feelings can lead to low mood. Sessions with the psychologist help identify these thoughts and feelings and introduce practical techniques to help their thoughts work for them rather than against them.

  • Nursing: Looks at the medication being taken by the patients. Research shows that many drugs are unhelpful in chronic pain and often produce side-effects such as drowsiness dry mouth, constipation and lack of concentration. The advantages and disadvantages are discussed and guidance given on gradual reduction where possible. Sleep difficulties are identified and discussed, with strategies to improve habits being taught. Relaxation skills are also taught to help patients cope better with pain and pain-related problems. Starting with simple techniques that focus on breathing and overall reduction in muscle tension. Other techniques are introduced to extend the patient's range of skills and their application.

  • Education/Information: Sessions aimed at providing patients with a greater understanding of the causes of pain (which have usually healed); its effect upon them and treatments available so that they are better informed for the future. All members of the team, including the Doctors, participate in these sessions.

Pain Management Programmes and its structure can vary from PMP to PMP, but all-in-all they deliver the same message.

How a Pain Management Programme Helped Me...

Before I tell you how - I would at this point like to thank all the staff at INPUT - especially Amanda Williams, Vicki Harding and Charles Pither for their help.

Please see the INPUT website - Click here INPUT Pain Managagement Programme

The INPUT Pain Management Programme is something that has helped me recover some of my mobility by showing me multi-disciplinary skills. They told me their programme would not get rid of my chronic pain, but teach me how to manage the pain, by teaching me new skills. I learnt these new skills in June/July '96.

I was of one 16 on the programme, and we were spilt up into two groups. It was nice to meet others who shared the same problems and fears as I did, and over the two weeks made some good friendships.

How you can get on a Pain Management Programme?

Many pain management programmes will take referrals from your GP. Some are referred by their hospital consultant, and possibly an anaesthetist attached to a pain clinic.
Pain management programmes are different from pain clinics as they look at teaching ways of coping and managing pain, rather than the pain relief. Most pain management programmes are happy to send referring doctors a copy of their programme, and criteria.

Pain Management addresses in the Greater London area...


INPUT - London UK

Input Pain Mangement Unit St. Thomas' Hospital Lambeth Palace Road London SE1 7EH UK Tel. 0207-922-8107

Please see the INPUT website - Click here INPUT Pain Managagement Programme

COPES - Grays, Essex UK

Cope Pain Management Programme Orsett Hospital (Old IT Unit) Rowley Road Grays Essex RM16 3EU UK Co-ordinator Carol Banks. Tel. 01268-592268

Libra House Unstead Park, Munstead Heath, Goldalming, Surrey GU7 1UW Tel. 01483-892061 (Private - BUPA)

If you you know of a Pain Management Unit in your area please send me their address.



The Manchester & Salford Pain Centre UK

 Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD Co-ordinator Ms Sandy Robinson. Tel. 0161-797-4002

Chichester

Pain Clinic at St Richards Hospital, Chichester, PO19 4SE (tel: 01243 831474)

Portsmouth

Pain Clinic at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, PO6 3LY (tel:023 9228 6000 ext 5207).


PMP Address Update....


I have recently received a list of Hospitals who provide pain management programmes. The list is still incomplete, and I am waiting for an update. Have a look at the list to see if there is one near to you.

Belfast, Northern Ireland:

Belfast City Hospital Trust, Lisburn Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Contact: Mrs. Suzanne Carson Tel: 01232 - 326614

Fife, Scotland:

Pain Management Clinic (Psychology), Rowan House, Willow Drive, Whytemans Brae, Kirkcaldy, Fife. Contact Margaret A RiskTel: 01592 - 643785

Dundee, Scotland

Dundee Pain Services, Dundee Royal Infirmary, Barrack Road, Dundee. DD1 9ND Contact: Penelope Fraser Tel: 01382 - 346679 Fax: 01382 - 345534

Kilmarnock, Scotland.

North Ayrshire & Arran NHS Trust, Anaesthetic Dept, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, Scotland. Contact: Charles Martin Tel: 01563 - 577172

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Health Care NHS Trust, Dept. of Health Psychology, Astley Ainsley Hospital, Grange Loan, Edinburgh. EH9 21HL Contact: Nicola StuckeyTel: 0131 - 537 - 9128 Fax: 0131 - 437 - 9120

Liverpool:

The Walton Centre, For Neurology & Neurosurgery, Rice Lane, Liverpool. L9 1AE Contact: Tel: 0151 - 529 - 4186 Fax: 0151 - 529 - 4638

Liverpool

Wirral Hospital Trust, Bank Pain Rehabilitation Programme, Willow House, Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral. L63 4JY Contact: Mike Rose Tel: 0151 - 334 - 4000 (X 5015) Fax: 0151 - 604 - 7450

Merseyside

Fairfield Hospital, Crank, St. Helens, Merseyside. WA11 7RS Contact: Maxine Rose Tel: 01744 - 739311 Fax: 01744 - 453358

Durham:

Dryburn Hospital Pain Management Unit North Road Durham DH1 5TW
0191 333 25 99 - Dr David Laird [Consultant Pain Management]

Bath:

Pain Management Unit, Royal National Hosp. for Rheumatic Disorders, Upper Borough Walls, Bath. BA1 1RL Contact: Dr. Chris Eccleston Tel: 01225 - 465941 Fax: 01225 - 421202

Southamton (PCT)

Dr Katherine Careretto. Head & Clinical Psychologist, Stoneham Pain Management Programme West End Southampton 02380 475286

Nottingham:

Cedars Rehabilitation Unit, Foster Drive, Mansfield Road, Nottingham. NG5 3FL Contact: Sally Pickard Tel: 0115 - 920 - 3024 Fax: 0115 - 967 - 9652

Manchester:

Manchester & Salford Pain Centre, Ladywell Hospital, Eccles New Rd, Salford. M6 2AA Contact: Dr. Chris Spanswick Tel: 0161 - 787 - 4002 Fax: 0161 - 787 - 1929

London:

Input Pain Management Limited, St. Thomas’ Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London. SE1 7EH Contact: Gill Hancock Tel: 0207 - 922-8107 Fax: 0207 - 922 - 8229

University College London Hospitals, Middlesex Hospital, Athur Stanley House, Tottenham Street, London. W1 Contact: Kate Ridout Tel: 0207 - 380 - 9035 Fax: 0207 - 380 - 9217

St. George’s Health Care Trust, The Wolfson Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Copse Hill, Wimbledon, London. SW20 ONE Contact: Mr. G Thomas Tel: 0208 - 725 - 4751 Fax: 0208 - 944 - 9927

Surrey:

The St. Helier NHS Trust, Centre for Pain Education, Sutton Hospital, Cotswold Road, Surrey. SM2 5NF Contact: Hilary Rankin Tel: 0208 - 296 - 4315

Libra House Unstead Park, Munstead Heath, Goldalming, Surrey GU7 1UW Tel. 01483-892061 (Private - BUPA)

Leicester:

Leicester Pain Management Service, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Rd, Leicester. LE1 5WN Contact: Dr. Beverley Collett Tel: 0116 - 258 - 5853 Fax: 0116 - 258 - 7528

Cardiff:

Chronic Pain Management Team, Velindre NHS Trust, Velindre Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff. CF4 7XL Contact: Mrs. Sue Paskell Tel: 01222 - 615999 Fax: 01222 - 522694

Middlesex:

Hillingdon Hospital, Pield Health Rd, Uxbridge, Middlesex. UB8 3NN Contact: Claire Winchurst Tel: 01895 - 279616 Fax: 01895 - 279883

Royal National Orthopaedic Hosp. Trust, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, Middlesex. HA7 4LP Contact: Keren Fisher Tel: 0181 - 954 - 2300 Fax: 020 - 8420 - 7115

Middlesborough:

South Tees Acute Hospital NHS Trust, Anaesthetic Dept., Cheriton House, South Cleveland Hospital, Marton Road, Middlesborough. TS4 3BW Contact: Lesley Hoyle Tel: 01642 - 854819

Shropshire

Princess Royal Hospital NHS Trust, Pain Relief Clinic, Telford, Shropshire. TF6 6TF Contact: Dr. P D Cartwright Tel: 01952 - 641222 (X 4522) Fax: 01952 - 243405

Macclesfield:

East Cheshire NHS Trust, Victoria Road, Macclesfield. Contact: Virginia Wilde Tel: 01625 - 421000

Powys, Wales:

Input Pain Management Centre, Bronllys Hospital, Bronllys, Brecon, Powys. LD3 OLU Contact: Dr. Charles Pither Tel: 01874 - 711255 (X 4563) Fax: 01874 - 711255

Department of Anaesthesia, Pain Clinic, Ysbyty Gwynedd, Penrhos Road, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, North Wales. Contact: Dr. Lewis Tel: 01248 - 384177 Fax: 01248 - 370629

Northumberland:

Cheviot & Wansbeck NHS Trust, Dept. of Anaesthetics, Pain Management Section, Wansbeck General Hospital, Woodhorn Lane, Ashington, Northumberland. NE63 9JJ

Ashington PMP - They do two or three courses a year, depending how many patients are referred. It is a 6 week course of 2 x half days per week. [ie 6 full days in total]. They involve Clinical Psychologists and Senior Physiotherapists. It is run by two Consultant Anaethetists with a special interest in Pain Management

Tel 01670 529 540
Fax 01670 529 827
Co Ordinator Linda Affleck

Bristol:

The Pain Management Programme, Frenchay Hospital, Beckspool Road, Bristol. BS16 1LE Contact: Nick Ambler Tel: 0117 - 975 - 8890 Fax: 0117 - 975 - 8891

Leeds:

St. James University Hospital, Leeds. LS9 7TF Contact: Wendy Callaghan Tel: 0113 - 206 - 5897

Plymouth:

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Pain Management Unit, Level 07, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. PL6 8DH Contact: Francis Luscombe Tel: 01752 - 792525

West Sussex:

Pain Clinic, St. Richards Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, Chichester, West Sussex. PO19 4SE Contact Jane M Green Tel: 01243 - 788122 (X2412/2411) Fax: 01243 - 531269

Oxford:

Pain Relief Unit, Churchill Hospital, Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford. OX3 7LJ Contact: Dr. C Shackleton Tel: 01865 - 741841

Sheffield, South Yorkshire:

Sheffield Children’s Hospital NHS Trust, Western Bank, Sheffield, South Yorkshire. S10 2TH Contact: Sue Pickup Tel: 0114 - 271 - 7000 (X 7397)

Ipswich, Suffolk:

Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, Heath Road, Ipswich, Suffolk. IP4 5PD Contact: Dr J B Skinner Tel: Telephone: 01473 703435

Surrey:

St. Peters Hospital Trust, Guildford Road, Chertsey, Surrey. KT16 OPZ Contact: Dr. Peter G Houghton Tel: 01932 - 692432 Fax: 01932 - 874757

Unsted Park Rehabilitation Hospital, Munstead Heath Road, Godalming, Surrey. GU7 1UW Contact: Dr. J R Skidmore Tel: 01483 - 892061 Kingston NHS Trust, Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Road, Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey. KT2 7QB Contact: Ann Gold Tel: 0181 - 546 - 7711 (X 2563) Fax: 0181 - 546 - 2199

Torquay, South Devon:

South Devon Health Care Trust, Anaesthetic Dept. Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torquay. Contact: Dr. Judith NormanTel: 01803 - 655583 Fax: 01803 - 815767

Truro, Cornwall:

Cornwall Pain Management Unit, City Hospital, Infirmary Hill, Truro, Cornwall. Contact: Heather Howell Tel: 01872 - 74242 (X 6180) Fax: 01872 - 256457

Harrogate, North Yorshire:

Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust, Ebor Rise, Commall Road, Harrogate, Contact: Dr. J Campbell Tel: 01423 - 885959 (X 3559)

Jersey:

Health & Social Services, Jersey General Hospital, Pain Management, St. Helier. Jersey C1. Contact: Gloria Jenkins Tel: 01534 - 622492 Fax: 01534 - 80482

Aylesbury, Bucks

Aylesbury Vale Community, Health Care Trust, Rayners Hedge, Croft Road, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP21 7RD Contact: John Pimm Tel: 01296 - 393319 Fax: 01296 - 392480

Borders:

Pain Clinic - Anaesthetics, Melrose, Borders General Hospital, Borders, TD6 9BS Contact: Ian Yellowlees Tel: 01896 - 662252 Fax: 01896 - 662286

Haywards Heath, West Sussex:

Mid-Sussex NHS Trust, Dept. of Clinical Psychology, Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, West Sussex. RH16 4HG Contact: Dr. K O’Neill Tel: 01444 - 441881 (X 4008) Fax: 01444 - 415028

Peterborough:

Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust, Thorpe Road, Peterborough. PE3 6DA Contact: Ruth Hills Tel: 01733 - 874000

Somerset:

Taunton & Somerset NHS Trust, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, Somerset. TA1 Tel: 01823 - 344936 Fax: 01823 - 344936

Winchester, Hampshire:

Psychology Dept, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Ramsey Road, Winchester, Hamps. SO22 5DG Contact: Ms. Karen Hogg Tel: 01962 - 824351

Barrow in Furness, Cumbria

Furness General Hospital, Barrow in Furness, Cumbria. Contact: Dr. John Hodkinson Tel: 01229 - 870870

Portsmouth:

Pain Clinic, QA Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth. Contact: Mrs. B Hancock Tel: 01705 - 286312

Birmingham:

University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust, Room 32, K Block, Selly Oak Hospital, Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham. B29 6JD Contact: Amelia Williamson Tel: 0121 - 627 - 8944 Fax: 0121 - 627 - 8943

Glouchester:

Gloucestershire Royal NHS Trust, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Glouchester. GL1 3NN Contact: Ray Owen Tel: 01452 - 394151 Fax: 01452 - 394195

Cheadle, Cheshire:

Pain Management Programme Alexandra Hospital, Mill Lane, Cheadle, Cheshire. SK8 2PX Contact: Tel: 0161 - 428 - 3656 (X 4910) Fax: 0161 - 491 - 3867

Leek, Staffordshire:

Moorland Medical Centre, Dyson House, Regent Street, Leek, Staffs. Contact Ronnie Paul Tel: 01538 - 487228

Bradford, Yorshire

Chronic Pain Rehabilitation (In a Primary Care Setting), Physiotherapy Dept., Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford. Contact: Catherine Cams Tel: 01274 - 364347 Fax: 01274 - 366946

Sheffield, South Yorkshire:

Pain Management Service, Pain Clinic Opd. C Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Glossop Road, Sheffield South Yorkshire. S10 2JF Contact: Tel: 0114 - 271 - 3713

Here are some other Hospitals who may operate pain management programmes

Ashingdon, Cheviot & Wansbeck NHS Trust

Aylesbury, Aylesbury Vale Community Healthcare Trust

UK Pain Management Programmes Registered July 1997

Barrow in Furness General Hospital

Bath, NHRD

Belfast, City Hospital Trust

Birminham, City Hospital Trust

Brecon, Input Pain Management Centre

Bristol, Frenchay Hospital

Cardiff, Velindre, NHS Trust

Chertsey, St. Peters Hospital Trust

Chichester, St. Richards Hospital

Clatterbridge, Wirral Hospital Trust

Coventry, Walsgrove General Hospital

Dundee, Dundee Royal Infirmary

Duham, Dryburn Hospital

Edinburgh, Astley Ainslie Hospital

Fife Health Board

Godalming, Unstead Park Rehabilitation Hospital

Harrogate, Harrogate Health Care NHS Trust

Haywards Heath, Princess Royal Hospital

Ipswich, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust

Kilmarnock, Cross House Hospital

Kingston-on-Thames, Kinston Hospital

Leeds, St. James University Hospital

Leicester, Leicester Royal Infirmary

Liverpool, Walton Centre

London, Behavioural Sciences & Dentistry, Grays Inn Road.

London, Middlesex Hospital

London, Input - St. Thomas'

London, The Wolfson Medical Rehabilitation Centre

Macclesfield, East Cheshire NHS Trust

Manchester & Salford Pain Centre

Melrose, Borders General Hospital

Middlesborough, South Tees Acute Hospital NHS Trust

Nottingham, Cedars rehabilitation Unit

Oxford, Churchill Hospital

Peterborough, Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust

Plymouth, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Portsmouth, Queen Eliszabeth Hospital

Sheffield, Childrens Hospital NHS Trust

St. Hellier, Jersey General Hospital

Stanmore, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust

Sutton, St. Helier NHS Trust

Taunton, Devon Musgrove Park Hospital

Torquay, South Devon Healthcare Trust

Truro, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Uxbridge, Hillingdon Hospital

Winchester, Royal Hampshire County Hospital

Pain Management Support Groups

Pain Management Support Groups are a rarity. Once you have finished a pain or self-management programme you can feel that you have been cut or let loose. After all, for the past few weeks you have been amongst others who up until attending your programme have had to live with chronic pain for a number of years - you sort of build up camaraderie with each other.

I think most pain management programmes could have a support group in place for those who need back and further support.

I was lucky when I finished my PMP- I had the BackCare support group to go back to. Others on my programme had nothing. This is why I started the Think-Back support group soon after I developed the programme. I knew that some would still need some back up. Not all do, but some.

If you are, or about to attend a pain or self-management programme, ask what back up have they in place for you when you have finished.

Here are some details of pain/self management support groups around the UK.

Brentwood & Chelmsford, Essex.
Think-Back - we have two support groups. Please contact me Pete Moore for more details or see the Think-Back web page on this site.

Brecon - Powys Wales.
Counterpain (Wales)
Bronllys Pain Management Centre
C/o Bronllys Hospitals
Bronllys, Brecon
Powys LD3 0LU
01874 711255 x 4563

Southend, Essex.
Are you seeking a support group following completion of a pain management programme? I would be willing to host meetings at my homeprovided we have four or more people and share costs. Edwina Milner

Swindon, Wiltshire
They meet every 3rd Tuesday at St Aldhelms Church Hall, Edgware Rd, off Regent St. Swindon.
The hall is situated in the centre of Swindon and there is parking behind this centre. We are a very lively group, have a membership of about twelve people. Most of us have been on the same pain management course at our local hospital. We would welcome new members.
For more details e-mail Jean Dean

Sheffield
Self-Help Pain Management: Regular meetings in Sheffield; group discussion,social events, gentle exercise and relaxation
Contact: Paul Wilson 0114 240 1397
Mark Wright 0114 275 3060
Paul Gasbolt 0114 247 1776

Pain Support is worthwhile web site run by by Jan Sadler. Jan also has chronic pain herself and works a lot with us and others with Chronic Pain. Her web site includes a discussion page -
Well worth a visit. She has written many books about chronic pain.

The American Chronic Pain Association
Full comprehensive recovery programmes for those with chronic pain. Support groups throughout the US.


Please let me know if there is a pain/self management programme near you or if you know of one. Please contact me Pete Moore

Also if you have been on a pain/self management programme and would like to share your experience, again please e-mail them to me. Your story could inspire others who need some help or encouragement.

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