Back Pain Treatment at Pain Clinics

Back Pain Treatment At Pain Clinics.

Back pain can severely affect a person’s quality of life and in many cases it is chronic meaning that it's long term. There is not always a cure for back pain nor a determining cause so often the best course of treatment may be to simply try to relieve some of the pain experienced by the sufferer. Acute back pain can often be treated with simple painkillers and the pain will lessen over a fairly short space of time whilst the body heals itself. Those suffering with chronic back pain may find that as time passes, the pain killers become less effective or the pain increases. For these people, attending a back pain clinic may be the only answer.

What Are Pain Clinics?

Pain clinics are scheduled times when pain specialists such as pain nurses and anaesthetists can assess, plan and treat those who suffer from long term pain such as chronic back pain. During these clinics, the patients may receive a number of pain treatments such as acupuncture, injections or manipulation and exercise techniques. Each patient will be assessed on the type of pain they are experiencing and what events may aggravate their pain. They will then discuss their pain treatment options with the team and receive whichever is deemed appropriate. Not all patients will find the treatments on offer effective for back pain relief and may want to try an alternative therapy such as osteopathy. This may be available through your GP but may have to be funded by yourself.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

How Do I Get A Referral?

Your GP may refer you directly to the pain team at your local hospital upon which you will receive an appointment by phone or post. Otherwise your specialist such as an orthopaedic doctor may refer you following an assessment of your condition. Many patients may find that they will need a course of treatment and that one appointment or treatment only lasts for a certain length of time, following which it may need repeating.

What Other Conditions May Be Treated At a Pain Clinic?

In short, any person who is experiencing long term pain and finding little or no relief from normal pain killers may be treated at a pain clinic. They are useful for those who have suffered from sports injuries, car accidents and long term illnesses or injuries. Many of the private clinics offer extended services with the team being comprised of occupational therapists, psychologists and other members offering complimentary therapies.

Pain is a difficult condition to understand and quantify for those who have never experienced it properly. Each person will have their own experience of their pain and have their own pain threshold and tolerance levels. This is why so many agencies take part in pain clinics and continually try and improve the services offered to patients.

If you are experiencing long term pain and are finding it difficult to cope with, please speak to your GP urgently and ask about your pain treatment options.