Living with persistent pain can be challenging, but understanding your condition and the treatments available is the first step toward better management and improved quality of life. At our clinic, we follow the latest UK clinical guidelines to ensure you receive safe, effective, and personalised care.
Chronic or ‘persistent’ pain is defined as pain that lasts for more than three months, even after an injury has healed. Unlike acute pain, which acts as a helpful warning signal (like a fire alarm), chronic pain is often due to the nervous system remaining on ‘high alert.’
Our goal is not just to reduce the pain itself, but to help you regain your physical function and emotional well-being.
If your consultant recommends an intervention, it is often to help reduce inflammation or ‘reset’ the pain signals being sent to your brain. Here are some common procedures we perform:
Epidural Injections: Often used for sciatica or slipped discs, this involves injecting a mixture of local anaesthetic and steroid into the space around your spinal nerves to reduce swelling and pain.
Facet Joint Injections: These target the small joints in your spine that allow for movement. If these joints become arthritic or inflamed, an injection can help ease back or neck pain.
Medial Branch Blocks: This is often a diagnostic test. We numb the small nerves that carry pain signals from your spinal joints to see if those joints are the primary source of your discomfort.
Radiofrequency Denervation (Rhizolysis): If a nerve block is successful, we may use heat to long-term ‘interrupt’ the pain signals from specific nerves, providing relief that can last many months.
We want you to feel as comfortable as possible. Most pain procedures are ‘day-case,’ meaning you will go home the same day.
Preparation: You may be asked to fast for a few hours if you are having sedation. Please continue taking your usual medications unless your consultant has specifically told you to stop (especially blood thinners).
The Procedure: We usually use X-ray or ultrasound guidance to ensure the treatment is delivered exactly where it is needed. You will receive a local anaesthetic to numb the skin first.
Aftercare: You will spend a short time in recovery. Because of the local anaesthetic, you may feel some temporary numbness or weakness. You must arrange for someone to drive you home.
We want you to feel as comfortable as possible. Most pain procedures are ‘day-case,’ meaning you will go home the same day.
1. Preparation: You may be asked to fast for a few hours if you are having sedation. Please continue taking your usual medications unless your consultant has specifically told you to stop (especially blood thinners).
2. The Procedure: We usually use X-ray or ultrasound guidance to ensure the treatment is delivered exactly where it is needed. You will receive a local anaesthetic to numb the skin first.
3. Aftercare: You will spend a short time in recovery. Because of the local anaesthetic, you may feel some temporary numbness or weakness. You must arrange for someone to drive you home.
4. Spinal cord stimulation care: Spinal cord stimulator procedure requires deep sedation or general anaesthesia. This may require an overnight stay. If you are offered SCS therapy, you will be given instructions for the wound check, antibiotics and further programming follow ups as needed.
Medication is often one part of a wider ‘pain toolkit.’ In the UK, we follow strict safety protocols regarding certain medications:
Neuropathic Agents (e.g., Gabapentin or Pregabalin): These are specifically for nerve pain. They work by calming overactive nerves and may take a few weeks to reach full effect.
Opioids: While helpful for short-term pain, long-term use of strong opioids is often less effective for chronic pain and carries risks of dependency. We work with you to find the lowest effective dose or explore safer alternatives.
Consistency is Key: Many pain medications work best when taken at regular intervals rather than ‘as and when’ the pain is at its worst.
While medical treatments are vital, self-management plays a huge role in your recovery:
Pacing: Break your daily tasks into smaller chunks. Don’t overdo it on ‘good days,’ as this can lead to a flare-up the following day.
Gentle Movement: Regular, low-impact exercise (like walking or swimming) helps keep joints supple and releases natural ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain.
Sleep Hygiene: Pain and sleep are closely linked. Try to maintain a regular sleep routine and a calm environment.
Mental Well-being: Persistent pain can affect your mood. Don’t hesitate to speak to us about the emotional impact of your condition; supporting your mental health is a key part of pain medicine.
