What is persistent pain?
Persistent pain is a long-lasting condition that cannot be cured by a single specialty. Different professionals must work together to provide integrated treatments, taking into account biological, psychological, and socio-environmental factors.
We are a team of specialists recommended by the British Pain Society. Our team consists of physiotherapists, nurses, and psychologists.
Physiotherapists help manage physical limitations, nurses deal with medical concerns, and psychologists help manage the impact of pain.
Our aim
Unfortunately, persistent pain does not go away. However, the aim of our service is that we support people to understand persistent pain, learn skills and strategies to manage that pain and its impact better. In that case, even if pain does not go away, it stops ruling people’s lives. The focus of service is for the patients to feel confident and independent in managing their pain on their own by the time they leave our service.
What do we offer
Pain Education Session
A 90 minutes group Pain Education Session is offered to patients once the service receives the referral. The aim of the session is for patients to develop an understanding of persistent pain, become familiar with our service and make a decision about how to move forward with their care.
Individual assessment
After the Pain Education Session, if you agree to be seen in our service; depending on your needs, you may be seen by one or all three professionals. The assessment focuses on developing a shared understanding of your difficulties and agreeing a treatment plan.
At times, the agreed plan may be a referral to another service which may be more suitable for your needs.
Pain Management Programme (EVOLVE)
The guidelines suggest that the best evidence base for pain management is in a group setting. We offer EVOLVE Pain Management Programme. Nurse, Physiotherapist and Psychologist are involved in offering the programme and it is for anyone with musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) related persistent pain who is willing to engage in self-management approach using bio-psycho-social approach.
Overarching goal for patient is pain management rather than pain reduction.
What can I expect?
EVOLVE is an interactive programme where you will be encouraged and supported to contribute as you feel comfortable. You will learn about how you can take an active role in managing your symptoms. This will include learning about areas such as:
- pain science
- the link between mind and body
- medication: its role, benefits and disadvantages, how to reduce the medication if needed
- why movement is helpful
- activity management without causing flare ups
- mood and stress management
- goals setting and how to achieve them
- developing self-nurturing activities
- mindfulness
- compassion
- communication
- sleep management
On one day of the programme, you will be able to invite your friends and family members which can help them to understand about your pain, what you have been learning and how they can help you in managing persistent pain. As a result, you can have more support in your day to day life. The aim of EVOLVE is to learn new skills and become confident in managing your symptoms and lead as full a life as possible.
You will get a course booklet at the start of the programme to aid your learning.
Programme structure: It is a 9-week programme on consecutive Mondays (unless there is a bank holiday) from 12.30 to 16.30 at Physiotherapy Department, 1st Floor, OPD, Whipps Cross Hospital. There are 3 follow up sessions at one, three and nine months (Mondays 8.45-10.45 am). There are regular breaks with tea and coffee provided. You are not expected to sit all the time and are encouraged to get up and move around for your comfort..
What may be expected from me? We expect you to attend all the sessions and if you are not able to commit to this, please inform us in advance so we can discuss how to move forward.
The philosophy of EVOLVE is team work between you and us and taking the ownership of your own care. It is also important to try and practice in your own time all the ideas and skills learnt in the sessions, as that develops independence in pain management. We will work with you in setting meaningful goals and support you throughout the process.
What it isn’t about? EVOLVE is not aimed to cure your pain but help with acceptance and management of it.
Is it the right programme for me? Do you have long term pain? Do you find it hard to manage your pain? Are you ready to commit to the Programme?
If the answer to all of the questions is yes, then it is the right programme for you.
Individual input by different professionals:
At times, patients will need more individual support which can be offered by one or more professionals. However, as there is stronger evidence base for pain management programme, the decision to offer individual input is based on case by case basis.
Referrals
If you think that our service is the right service for you, please have a conversation with your GP who can refer you to our service. Alternatively, if you are already with the MSK service, you can discuss the option of referral with your physiotherapist. We are based at Physiotherapy Department, 1st Floor, Outpatients Department (OPD).
The service operates from 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Tuesday, 9:00am to 5:00pm on a Wednesday and 7:30am to 2:30pm on a Friday. You can contact us by calling the main physiotherapy reception. However, please be mindful that the lines are usually very busy so alternative method of contacting us is via email.
This service is not an emergency service. If you have a physical or mental health emergency, please contact 111 or 999 or access your local A&E.
We are based at Physiotherapy Department, 1st Floor, Outpatients Department (OPD).
Useful references
Changes due to Covid
The service is following the trust guidelines on managing COVID. During the peaks, we have been advised to do telephone or online appointments. Thus, appointments may change at short notice depending on COVID situation. We will consider individual needs for patients who are unable to do then telephone or online appointments. In those instances, we will discuss an individual care plan.