There are two types of pain: Acute – short-term pain resulting from injury or surgery that lasts less than three months and Chronic pain – long-term persistent pain. The latter is most commonly associated with conditions such as arthritis, back pain, headaches and endometriosis. It can be difficult to diagnose a specific cause, which makes this type of pain difficult to treat and manage.
Research by the British Pain Society suggests around 10m people in the UK suffer from daily pain, which affects their quality of life and work. Back pain costs the UK economy an estimated 12bn a year. Sufferers are less able physically and may avoid doing certain activities that exacerbate the pain. However, experts say this a vicious circle as lack of exercise and mobility makes the muscles weaker. Chronic pain also affects your emotional health and sexual wellbeing, putting a strain on personal relationships. It can make you feel desperate and helpless.
There is no quick fix for long-term pain – medication can help the symptoms but doesn’t tackle the root cause. It can be difficult to treat because it is subjective and dependent on other factors such as age and life experience says Dr Charles Pither, medical director at The Real Health Institute, an independent healthcare company in London. Here is an overview of treatments that can help:
- "Patients must have their pain taken seriously, the first step being prompt assessment and treatment by their GPs, and then appropriate specialists if required," said Dr Beverley Collett, President of the British Pain Society and Consultant in Pain Management and Anaesthesia at the University Hospitals of Leicester, UK. "Patients must overcome their reluctance to ‘bother’ their doctor, since healthcare professionals have a variety of therapy options that allow the effective management of pain." Your doctor will know of local support groups that you can join.
- Pain clinics – there are around 300 in the UK and treatment is available on the NHS via GP referral. They offer a range of therapies including medication, acupuncture, TENS, physiotherapy and psychological support. They also run "Pain Management Programmes" – eight sessions over two months that help you to effectively handle your pain.
- Complementary therapies can help you manage long-term conditions and give you a wonderful sense of relaxation and wellbeing. Holistic massage can help as can hypnotherapy (self-hypnosis techniques). Acupuncture and acupressure can help relieve migraines and muscular pains by working on "trigger" points on the body.
- The Expert Patients Programme – an NHS initiative that teaches you to self-manage pain. Courses are nationwide and last for six weeks during which you’ll be taught various techniques to help you improve your quality of life. Topics include healthy eating, dealing with pain and fatigue, relaxation and coping with depression.
- Self-help tips – experts suggest keeping yourself as fit and active as possible, keeping busy and organizing your day to minimise stress. Relaxation is also important, as is social contact – join or start a support group in your area.
- Music therapy – listening to music can change your perception of pain and help you feel more in control. US researchers tested the effects of music on 60 patients suffering from chronic pain. Results showed a reduction of 20% in pain levels and 25% in depression.
Further reading
Research into how male and female brains respond to pain by Dr Jeff Mogil, Research Leader at McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
This article is for general information purposes only. Consult your health practitioner if you want specific guidance on a health issue.
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