Why Pain Management?

When someone has severe pain that does not get better and starts to limit function, perhaps as described above, they assume (as may their doctor) that the pain is bad because the degree of injury or damage is particularly bad. This is not the case. In all situations where pain is a clinical problem (following operations, arthritis of the hip, cancer etc) the amount of pain is not simply related to the changes visible on X-ray or scan; there are always other factors affecting it. These may be secondary problems in muscles and joints causing alterations to fitness, flexibility or posture, or more psychological factors such as fears about the severity or cause of the pain, or depression.

Very often a vicious circle develops with all of these aspects contributing to increase the difficulties experienced by the sufferer. The more they hurt the less they can do, the less they do the less fit they become and the less they are able to enjoy the pleasurable things in life. They may find sleep difficult and be troubled by the side effects of tablets further sapping their motivation and thus worsening their mobility and mood. All too often conventional therapies don’t cure the pain or solve the problems, leading to more frustration and disappointment. This worsens matters further and lead to a sense of helplessness and begs the question ‘is there nothing that can be done – am I stuck like this forever?’

This is often the time when a pain management programme is suggested.