Airing Pain

This edition is funded by the Constance Travis Charitable Trust and the Isabella Memorial Trust. Sleep can be a sanctuary from life; a way for the brain to decompress and begin restorative processes, but for those living with chronic pain, the pain/sleep cycle can become a vicious one. In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul speaks to clinical and health psychologist Dr Nicola Tang about how polysomnography, a method of measuring the biophysiological changes that occur during sleep, can suggest aspects of brain functioning during sleep cycles. Dr Tang explains how the deeper stages of sleep, like Rapid Eye Movement, are linked to pain sensation and emotional processing, and when you are deprived of these particular stages of sleep there is evidence of increased levels of pain sensitivity. Paul also speaks to Dr Sue Peacock, consultant health psychologist and author of Sleeping with Pain (2016), about how she found sleep to be one of the major issues among pain clinic patients and her non-pharmacolog

This edition is funded by the JTH Charitable Trust and the Persula Foundation. With between one third and one half of people living with chronic pain in the UK alone, the number of people experiencing the effects of pain explodes when considering family and friendships.* For some of these people, life can become a cycle of hospital visits, blood tests, and scans. So, what can be done to ease these relationships? In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul Evans and eminent psychotherapist Dr Barry Mason speak about their personal experiences with fibromyalgia and ankylosing spondylitis.  With many chronic pain conditions being 'invisible', explaining your pain may seem impossible, and as the family’s 'uninvited guest', it can cause people to close up to those looking to help. Dr Mason explains that not speaking about this uncomfortable topic can lead to further issues, and how opening up can lead to better family teamwork.  Contributors: Dr Barry Mason, Family Psychotherapist, Member of UK Council f

This edition is funded by a grant from the Stafford Trust. For top-level athletes, chronic pain can very quickly end careers. What preparations can be done to combat pain, and how important is patient engagement in rehabilitation? In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul speaks to chronic pain psychologist Dr Greg Clarke about how acute pain can turn chronic in the context of sport, and how the resilience of young athletes can sometimes be a hindrance. Ten years ago, Ade suffered a debilitating spinal injury. Four operations later, he was told by a surgeon that there was nothing they could do. Paul talks to Ade about his decision to attend a pain management programme to educate himself about his pain, and how cycling helped him take control of his situation. Ade has also set up a fund raising campaign, the 21 Days of Pain, to raise money for Pain Concern. He plans to cycle 100km every day for 21 days (2100km!). You can find his website and read about his story here: http://21daysofpain.org.uk/ Contr

This edition is funded by The Agnes Hunter Trust. An ever-increasing cancer survivor rate means chronic pain associated with the condition and its treatment is growing. In the UK alone, cancer survivor rates have doubled in the last 40 years, from 24% to 50%.* In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul Evans speaks to Dr Paul Farquhar-Smith, consultant in anaesthesia and pain medicine at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, and co-author of Pain in cancer curvivors; filling in the gaps. Dr Farquhar-Smith explains how post-surgical pain in cancer survivors can be caused by damage to the nervous system, what cancer treatments may be associated with this pain, and what pre-surgery steps can be taken to reduce it. Contributors: Dr Paul Farquhar-Smith, Consultant in Anaesthesia at the Royal Marsden Hospital London, and co-author, with Dr Mathew Brown, of Pain in cancer survivors; filling in the gaps. More information: Pain in cancer survivors; filling in the gaps Macmillan's page on cancer pain

In 2010, Airing Pain was conceived as a way for those with chronic pain, unable to leave their homes and attend support meetings, to easily access vital resources. Heather knew that this undertaking would require a skilled and experienced producer, so she reached out to Paul Evans. In this edition, Paul reminisces about the first phone call they had together, his eye-opening experience of realising just how large the pool of knowledge on pain was, and how the pain education sessions came to be. Paul then heads to Eastwood in the south of Glasgow to sit in on one of our sessions. He speaks to both pain education trainers and participants about their experiences how their relationship with pain has changed as a result. Contributors: Heather Wallace, Founder of Pain Concern Angela O’Neil, Pain Education Session Trainer Volunteer for NHS and Pain Concern Georgina McDonald, Pain Education Session Trainer Volunteer Britney, Pain Education Session Attendee Claire Mitchell, Clinical Health Psychology Stud

This edition was funded by a grant by the Agnes Hunter Trust With 8% of young people in the 13-18 age range affected by chronic pain (15,000 living with arthritis alone), the transition to adulthood, and the medical support that accompanies it, is an important process. Pain management consultant Dr Mary Rose and nurse Mandy Sim of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh speak to Paul Evans about the methods they use to make the transition into adulthood as supportive as possible, as well as the importance of educating patients, parents and schools on the biopsychosocial aspects of pain and its management. Dr Alison Bliss, paediatric anaesthesia and chronic pain consultant at Leeds Children’s Hospital, emphasises the importance of finding a balance between cultivating independence in young-adults with pain and helping them find the support in their transitional period. Paul also speaks to Dr. Line Caes, psychology lecturer at Stirling University, touches on the nuances in dealing with how

This edition is funded by Pain Concern’s donors and friends, assisted by an educational grant from Grünenthal. The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), formed in 1973, is the leading forum of scientists, clinicians, healthcare providers and policy makers supporting and promoting the study of pain and using that knowledge to improve pain relief worldwide. Each year IASP focuses on a different aspect of pain that has global relevance. In 2017, IASP focused on pain after surgery, and joint pain was the focus of 2016. In this programme, Paul Evans speaks to Dr Paul Wilkinson, task force lead for the 2018 Global Year for Excellence in Pain Education. IASP hopes to advance the understanding of pain in the areas of government, professional and research education and ultimately create strategy to communicate the gaps in pain education globally. Paul also speaks to clinical psychologist Dr Nicholas Ambler, patient trainer Lisa Parry and assistant psychologist Sareeta Vyas at the Bristol

This programme is supported by an educational grant from the Tillyloss Trust. Along with food, shelter and clothing, sexual expression is one of the basic human needs. It allows us to express love and fulfils our need for human connection, but for the 14.3% of people in the UK living with moderately or severely disabling chronic pain, sex can be met with trepidation and anxiety.[1] This is understandable, as it is estimated that 75% of those that live with chronic pain experience sexual dysfunction.[2] There can also be a certain amount of embarrassment in discussing chronic pain and its effect on sexual activity with healthcare professionals, especially if they don’t have the skills to address these issues. This is why Pain Concern has updated its sex and chronic pain leaflet with authors Katrine Petersen, senior physiotherapist, and Dr Sarah Edwards, clinical psychologist, who specialise in abdominal pelvic pain at the Pain Management Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You

This programme was funded by an educational grant from Napp Pharmaceuticals Ltd.  In 2017, the British Pain Society celebrated its fiftieth year as one of the foremost organisations for furthering the understanding of pain, and is now the oldest and largest multidisciplinary pain-focused organisation in the UK.  Founded as The Pain Group in 1967, its membership was limited purely to anaesthetists working in pain clinics. In 1979, the organisation registered as a charity, changing its name to the Intractable Pain Society of Great Britain and Ireland.  Over the years, the organisation became increasingly multidisciplinary and, in 1988, changed its name to The Pain Society to reflect this shift. The society’s membership and activities continued to grow, and in 2004 the Pain Society transferred all its assets to an organisation with charitable status and became The British Pain Society. As the largest professional organisation in the field of pain, the BPS continues to strive to provide an evidence-b

This programme was funded by grants from RS Macdonald Charitable Trust and the Hospital Saturday Fund. Complex regional pain syndrome affects 1 in 3,800 new people every year in the UK*. It is a poorly understood condition and it can be frustrating for patients who are suffering to find peace of mind. The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Disease in Bath began its rehabilitation service for individuals with CRPS in 1999 and is one of the very few in the UK with outpatient and inpatient care dedicated to CRPS. The centre, led by Professor Candy McCabe, strives to improve patients’ lives through up-to-date multidisciplinary techniques ranging from occupational therapy to mirror visual feedback (MVF). Michael and Julie, patients currently enrolled in the rehabilitation programme, speak to Paul about the injuries that caused them to develop the syndrome, how it affects their lives, and how the programme is helping them cope. Paul also sits in on a session with Senior Physiotherapist Emma Houlihan an

This programme was funded by grants from the RS MacDonald Charitable Trust and The Hospital Saturday Fund. The first of two programmes on complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, which can be described as continuous and sometimes debilitating pain that can be confined to one limb, but has been known to spread to other parts of the body. CRPS is poorly understood, and no direct cause has been identified.* In this edition of Airing Pain, Paul Evans speaks to Sunny Boshoff, author of CRPS Awareness: Moving Against Pain, who has had her own experiences with the syndrome, describing the agonising sensations she felt while living with CRPS. Professor Frank Birklein, head of the Peripheral Nerve Disorders and Pain Research and Treatment at the Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Mainz in Germany is one of the world’s leading authorities on CRPS. He explains the meaning behind the syndrome’s name, what can cause it, and how understanding of the disease has progressed. Clinical lead for the

This programme was funded by a grant from The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust. Getting some gentle exercise tops the NHS’ list of ten self-help tips for managing pain, with distraction and communication also playing important roles. In this episode of Airing Pain we see how gardening can help with all three, and the benefit for our minds as well as our bodies. We talk to Craig Lister and Chris Speirs from The Conservation Volunteers about their community garden project Green Gym, which brings together volunteers in shared green spaces in cities across the UK. One such space is Waterlow Park in London, where Paul chats to volunteers Maddy and Rosie about how the weekly sessions have helped them overcome difficulties including depression, anxiety and chronic pain. A few miles away from Waterlow Park is the Rheumatology department at Whipps Cross Hospital, where clinical nurse specialist Margaretta Rooney created a garden designed specifically with the needs of patients with arthritis in mind. Raised bed

This programme was funded by a grant from The Schuh Trust. There are around 4.5 million people living with diabetes in the UK, and every day more than 20 leg, foot or toe amputations are carried out as a result of diabetic neuropathy. This is particularly shocking, as four out of five of these amputations could have been avoided with proper care*. People with diabetes are often bombarded with advice on diet and exercise, however as with any long term condition it can affect all aspects of life. In this episode of Airing Pain we talk to Linda McGlynn from Diabetes Scotland and clinical specialist physiotherapist Ben Davies.  Linda explains how diabetes affects the nervous system and why it’s so important to look after our feet. Ben describes some the results of his research into pain management for those with diabetic neuropathy, and why diabetes specialists left feeling “clinically impotent” should look towards the pain community for better treatment models. Contributors: Ben Davies, clinical

This programme was funded by a grant from The Schuh Trust. Gout is the most common form of inflammatory arthritis and affects 1 in 40 people in the UK. So why do we still see it as something that exists only in the pages of Victorian novels? In this episode of Airing Pain we go inside the Houses of Parliament and speak with MPs, clinicians, patients and UK Gout Society members to find out why. What is gout? Gout is a type of arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints, most frequently the feet. As with many conditions, flare-ups can be brought on by a number of factors including lifestyle, stress and diet. Some people, however, have a genetic predisposition. Paul Webber and Alan Hughes both suffer with gout, describing the pain as being repeatedly being kicked in the shin and worse than a red-hot poker. What’s the treatment? Treatments for reducing pain during attacks include icing the joint and taking medications, however there are also long term treatments. There are lifesty

This programme was funded by a grant from The Schuh Trust. Back pain causes more disability than any other condition in the UK[1]. It is the second most common cause of absence from work, resulting in the loss of four million working days per year[2]. This comes at a heavy price not only for the NHS, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the UK economy – reported to be costing each £480 million, £5 billion and £9.6 billion a year respectively – but for the increasing number of us who will experience back pain at some point in our lives. Over 40% of over 50s go on to develop back pain[3], and with an ageing population it’s more important than ever that we know what we can do to prevent, reduce and manage this common but debilitating ailment. Dr David Rogers is an Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. In 2016 he co-authored the book ‘Back to Life: How to unlock your pathway to recovery (when back pain persists)’ with Dr Grahame Brown, in which read

This programme was funded by grant from W G Edwards and the Cruden Charitable Foundation. According to a survey carried out by the Alzheimers Society, Dementia is the most feared health condition in the UK. Last year alone, 225,000 people developed dementia. Paul talks to Professor Peter Passmore about the challenges of treating chronic conditions in people who develop dementia, including different medications and why we instinctively link age with pain. In 2012 Lloyd Hughes authored a report, Managing Chronic Pain in Patients with Dementia. Now a GP trainee, Lloyd discusses how he incorporates his findings into every day patient care and what we can do as individuals to prepare for a future that may well include dementia. Andy Lowndes, Deputy Chair of Glasgow based charity Playlist for Life, describes the power of music in helping those living with dementia - whether as a patient, carer or loved one - connect with each other and reconnect with themselves. Contributors: Professor Peter Pas

This edition has been funded by a grant from the Women’s Fund For Scotland. Interstitial cystitis, aka painful bladder syndrome, is a poorly understood bladder condition that causes long-term pelvic pain and problems with urination. The charity Bladder Health UK estimates that 400,000 people in UK live with the condition. Of them, 360,000 are women. Anne Cameron, retired nurse and now coordinator for Bladder Health UK in Scotland, explains the varied symptoms and treatments available, and how certain factors can make the path to diagnosis far from smooth for some women. Jen stresses the importance of support groups in alleviating feelings of stress and isolation, and Pat describes how she overcame her initial reservations to try different self-management techniques, including yoga and mindfulness. Dr Shona Brown is a clinical psychologist and part of the multi-disciplinary team at the EXPPECT pelvic pain clinic in Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary. She describes the impact of pelvic pain on patients’ e

This edition has been funded by a grant from the Women’s Fund For Scotland. Vulvodynia is a nerve-based pain, often described as a burning or stinging sensation, which affects the vulva. 1 in 7 seven women are estimated to experience Vulvodynia at some stage during their life and the condition can be very distressing to live with, impacting on everything from clothing choices to relationships. Dr Winston de Mello explains why many women with Vulvodynia experience difficulties on the path to diagnosis and why GPs under pressure create a “postcode lottery” for those in pain without any visible symptoms. Dr Rebekah Shallcross describes what she found in her research into women’s experiences of Vulvodynia, including sexist treatment by some healthcare professionals, a lack of awareness of the condition within the medical community and the stigma associated with genital pain. The role played by penetrative sex in social constructions of female identity can create feelings of guilt and shame in patients w

An estimated 15,000 people in the UK are living with Sickle Cell disease and at least 250,000 are carriers. Dr Elizabeth Rhodes explains the causes and symptoms of the genetic blood disorder, the areas where it is most prevalent and who is affected. One such patient is Khadijat Jose, who describes her experiences growing up in Nigeria and why being a carrier of the disease is an advantage in countries with Malaria. For those with the condition however, each day can bring severe pain often requiring admission to hospital. Dr Oliver Seyfried highlights the life-limiting effects of this pain, especially on young people, and the challenges it poses in all spheres of life. Self-management is therefore hugely important for those with Sickle cell disease, whether the pain experienced is mild or severe. Paul discusses the different approaches taken by the Red Cell Pain Management team at St George’s Hospital with clinical psychologist Dr Jenna Love and specialist physiotherapist Rebecca McLoughlin. Both emphasi

This edition is funded by Grünenthal. Around 20 per cent of Europe’s adult population live with chronic pain and the consequences for individuals and society are devastating. In this edition of Airing Pain we head to the Societal Impact of Pain meeting in Brussels to hear from the patients, healthcare professionals and policy makers coming together to improve the lives of people in pain across the continent. Dr Chris Wells explains why pain management is a matter of life and death and how to put pain higher up the political agenda. MEP Theresa Griffin takes up the baton with a call to make the workplace accessible to those living with pain. Jane Moejlink describes the challenges of getting a diagnosis for interstitial cystitis and Sjögren’s syndrome in the face of sceptical doctors and the language barrier, while Professor Ilora Finlay makes the case for a different view of palliative care. Plus: an update from Ireland and bursting balloons to raise awareness. Contributors:  Dr Chris Wells, P