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Pain Management

Women in pain holding shoulder

What is Chronic Pain

Chronic pain, also called persistent or long term pain, is pain that continues for more than three months and may not respond to standard medical treatment.
 
Chronic pain is estimated to affect approximately 34% of adults in England. Within MSK services at Whittington Health, it is often treated in the pain management physiotherapy team.
 
We aim to summarise the treatments available for individuals with chronic pain in pain management physiotherapy. Information regarding the consultant-led secondary care pain management service can be found here.

Pain Management Physiotherapy

Pain management physiotherapy aims to help people come to terms with, and cope better with their long-term condition. We focus on maximising quality of life despite pain, by learning skills to manage pain more effectively and by providing support with implementing changes and maintaining them. Treatment options available are summarised below.
 
One-to-One Pain Management Physiotherapy
One to one sessions are delivered by a physiotherapist with a focus on maximising quality of life despite pain. Following an assessment, a joint treatment plan is agreed and may involve the below treatments. Physiotherapists can also refer to other services within MSK if required to stop repeat GP visits.

Pain Management Group
The group is an 8-week group currently delivered online by a physiotherapist, psychologist and pharmacist with a special interest in pain. Each week a different topic is presented by one of the team and attendees are encouraged to share their experiences. Referrals are accepted by physiotherapists working in MSK services or psychologists working in iCope or IAPT. This service is currently only available for English-language speakers.
 
Medication Review Clinic
The medication review clinic is a pharmacist led clinic available to patients under the care of MSK services. It provides support to people whose pain is poorly controlled, want to discuss different pain medication/s and or have concerns about the side effects of their pain medication/s.  Questions about non-pain medication are outside of the scope of this clinic and should be discussed with their GP.

Common Conditions

Chronic secondary musculoskeletal (MSK) pain
Chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain is chronic pain which comes from an underlying disease or condition such as osteoarthritis and is the most common type. Pain management physiotherapy often supports people where medical options such as medication, injections and surgery are not available or have been unsuccessful. 
 
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition that often causes widespread pain and fatigue. People with Fibromyalgia may also report headaches, migraines, non-refreshing sleep, changes in mood and bowel or stomach problems amongst other symptoms. There are no X-Ray's, scans or blood tests that can check for Fibromyalgia, but your physiotherapist can use tests and diagnostic criteria to make this diagnosis and make sure there's no alternative cause for your pain.
 
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating, painful condition in a limb which can cause changes in how the affected limb looks, feels and moves. CRPS often comes on after an injury or surgery however there is no connection between the size of the injury and sometimes starts after a minor injury.

Useful Resources

Chronic Pain 
  •  - YouTube (a Public Health campaign. Flippin� peoples understanding of pain)
  •  (a website created by healthcare professions dedicated to people living with chronic pain and those who support them)
  •  (detailed description of chronic pain)
  •  (a brief overview of chronic pain)
 
Mental Health 

Employment

Fibromyalgia
  •  (FMA UK)
  •  (UK charity supporting research into musculoskeletal conditions)

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
  •  (counselling for CRPS and chronic pain)
  •  (patient-led charity supporting people with CRPS)

 

Last updated20 May 2025
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