Chronic pain (sometimes known as long-term pain or persistent pain) is pain that lasts for more than 3 months. Pain can be secondary to (caused by) an underlying condition (for example, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, endometriosis). Chronic pain can also be primary. Chronic primary pain has no clear underlying condition or the pain (or its impact) appears to be out of proportion to any observable injury or disease. The mechanisms underlying chronic primary pain are only partially understood and the definitions are fairly new. All forms of pain can cause distress and disability, but these features are particularly prominent in presentations of chronic primary pain. Unfortunately painkillers don’t work well for chronic non-cancer pain and can lead to considerable side effects, tolerance and addiction.
Please book an appointment with a GP to discuss further if you are struggling with chronic pain. You may find it helpful to read the following leaflet before the appointment to help both you and the doctor to make the most of the appointment; see https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/PRN00675-ii-making-decisions-to-help-you-live-well-with-chronic-primary-pain.pdf
So what can we offer to patients with chronic non-cancer pain?
Education about managing chronic pain for patients or their carers;
Understanding what pain is and how it can be managed better is key. Have a look at the following resources;
Self management skills – Live Well with Pain
Ten Footsteps programme – Live Well with Pain
CBT or Counselling can be really helpful for managing negative thoughts associated with pain or any mental health problems
You can self-refer to NHS talking therapies at Home – Talking Changes or by calling 0191 333 3300
Support from one of our Social Prescribing Team
Our social prescribing team can support you through the challenges of living with pain and advise regarding local services and support groups. Call reception and have a look at our website at Social Prescribing – Claypath and University Medical Group (durhamstudenthealth.co.uk)
Referral to the Community Pain Service
Your GP may refer you to our local Community Pain Service – their website is Durham – Connect Health
Exercise Guidance and Support
Keeping up exercise is really important for general health and for tackling chronic pain. The following website has useful guides to exercising for a variety of conditions – Patient info finder – Moving Medicine
You can also self-refer to local NHS physio therapy services here: County Durham and Darlington – Self Referral to Physiotherapy (cddft.nhs.uk)
Improving Sleep
Doing everything you can to improve sleep quality can be helpful. Sleeping tablets are not usually advised but there are a number of things that can help improve sleep; see Insomnia – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Other useful resources;
Understanding Pain – Flippin’ Pain (flippinpain.co.uk)
PAINKILLERS DON’T EXIST (painkillersdontexist.com) | | Painkiller talk