Chronic pain management

What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is a recurrent, persistent pain that can have a considerable impact on the quality of life. It can develop after a tissue has been damaged due to injury, or due to inflammation. However, the pain can still be present long after the injured tissues have healed.

People who suffer with chronic pain can feel they lose their independence as they are unable to enjoy their usual activities.

To help manage chronic pain, patients are advised to follow a multidisciplinary approach that addresses the different elements of chronic pain. This means using the skills and experience of health professionals from different backgrounds.

How can chronic pain management help me?

If you are suffering from persistent or longstanding pain that has failed to respond to previous treatments, then it would be helpful to consult a physiotherapist.

This type of physiotherapy has been shown to assist patients with coping strategies that can help manage pain and gain a better understanding on how to manage your condition. Overall, the goal is to improve quality of life.

How does it work?

When choosing BMI Healthcare for chronic pain management, you will be given a thorough physiotherapy assessment to understand your needs and create a bespoke treatment programme. Chronic pain can be a complex problem which is why we have physiotherapists who are trained in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help you get the best out of your treatment.

The physiotherapist will also educate you on how to manage the condition, as well as reinforcing positive coping strategies, reducing emotional distress and unhelpful beliefs associated with chronic pain, such as fear of re-injury.

Throughout the programme, general strengthening, aerobic and stretching exercises will be adapted to your condition. You will be encouraged to make a gradual return to your usual activities by setting achievable goals.

Physiotherapy-led general exercise and education programmes have been shown to improve the quality of life for chronic pain patients.¹

How much does chronic pain management cost?

An initial assessment with a physiotherapist at BMI Healthcare costs from £54*.

Why should I come to BMI Healthcare for chronic pain management?

• Multidisciplinary approach: some patients may benefit from seeing a pharmacist, specialist pain nurse, occupational therapist, dietician, clinical psychotherapist or clinical psychologist. Should you need to be seen by a different type of health professional, our team can quickly refer you.
• Fast access to private treatment, usually within 48 hours.
• Service available at a wide selection of BMI hospitals throughout the country.

Sources
¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17572614

*This is a starting from price and varies by hospital