Pain Management Service

What is the Pain Management Service?

The BCHC Pain Management Service provides specialist assessment and management for people aged over 18 with persistent spinal pain present for more than 3 months. Persistent pain is complex and can be caused by many different factors.

 

Our pain management service aims to help patients reduce or resolve their pain; however for many patients this is not possible. The approach of our pain management service for these patients places an emphasis on acceptance, living well and adopting self- management strategies to improve quality of life despite living with long term pain.

 

 

Who will I see?

Following referral from your GP or another healthcare professional, you will be invited to attend an initial assessment with our Multidisciplinary Pain Team. This may be carried out by several team members including specialist physiotherapists, clinical psychologists, pain consultants and non-medical prescribers. 

 

We recognise that pain affects many areas of day-to-day life and therefore it often requires a team approach to understand and explain both the physical and emotional impacts of your pain.

 

 

What will happen at my appointment?

You may be asked to complete some questionnaires before your initial assessment. If you need help with paperwork, please ask for assistance.

 

Our clinicians will assess your symptoms by asking you questions about your pain and how it affects you. You may have answered some of these questions before, however it is important that we have an up-to-date history of your symptoms. You will also be asked about lifestyle, family, how you feel emotionally and important screening questions which help to rule out serious conditions.

 

A physical assessment will also be completed. Where clinically appropriate we may refer for further investigations.

 

 

 

What should I bring?

• A list of all your medication (including dosages.
• Wear clothing you can easily move in.
• Remember to bring reading glasses if you need them.
• A friend or family member may accompany you if you wish.

 

 

How long will the appointment take?

You may see up to three different specialists, so please allow up to 2 hours.

 

 

What will happen after my appointment?

At the end of your appointment a member of the team will discuss their findings, the best way forward and the choices available to you.

 

All patients will have an agreed plan to support them in the long-term management of their pain. Following the assessment, we will send a letter to you summarising this. We will also send a copy of this letter to your GP.

 

 

What happens next?

For many people there is no clear medical cause to their pain. We therefore know that helping people to manage their pain more effectively, rather than aiming to remove it altogether, is the best treatment. You may be offered further support and management through:

• Support and advice on self-management, including flare-up management, stress management, mindfulness, setting goals around what is important in your life, pacing activity, nutrition, sleep management.
• Referral to our Pain Management Programme (PMP) or interpreted Pain Management Programme (iPMP) ( ladies only available).
• One to one specialist physiotherapy sessions.
• Joint physiotherapy /psychology sessions.
• Specialist advice on the use of your pain medication (altering or de-escalating).
• Diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections if appropriate.

 

 

What to think about before your appointment

• What does your pain problem prevent or restrict you doing?
• What are your short-term and long-term goals?
• What have you tried before to help manage your pain- what has helped you and what has not?
• Managing long-term pain is a long-term project. There are no quick fixes, and most treatment options require you to make changes to the way you do things to improve the way you feel.

 

Please note that we do not provide an urgent or emergency service. If your pain is causing significant distress, we advise that you contact one of the following services who may provide acute care:

• GP
• Samaritans: telephone 116 123
• Crisis team: telephone 111
• Self-help: Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
• A&E
• 999, if immediate risk to self or others